*  *"'*'* 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

GIKT  OK 


>  l89  o- 

No. 


Received 
Accession  No.  Xc?  0 


L^vWW  .>SS>uM.-«ia 


A  SKETCH 


OF  THE 


WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 


OK     CINCINN  AT  I 


1877—1886 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 


CINCINNATI 

ROBERT  CLARKE  &  CO 
1886 


12* 


At  a  special  meeting  of  trustees  of  the  "  Women's 
Art  Museum  Association  of  Cincinnati,"  held  April 
3,  1886,  at  the  rooms  of  the  "Historical  and  Philo- 
sophical Society  of  Ohio,"  115  West  Eighth  street,  on 
motion  of  Mrs.  Louise  N.  Anderson,  it  was 

"Resolved,  That  as  the  object  in  view  of  which  the  Association 
was  formed  is  accomplished  by  the  opening  of  the  '  Cincin- 
nati Museum '  in  Eden  Park,  the  trustees  recommend  that 
the  organization  be  dissolved ;  and  hereby  refer  the  decision 
to  the  Association." 

Motion  carried. 

Also,  on  motion  of  Mrs.  A.  S.  Winslow, 

" Resolved,  That,  if  the  Association  be  dissolved,  the  money 
left  on  hand,  after  the  payment  of  all  just  debts,  be  applied 
to  the  publication  of  a  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  Associa- 
tion— to  be  prepared  by  the  president.  A  limited  edition 
only  of  the  sketch  to  be  published,  for  the  members  of  the 
Association — and  a  few  friends — not  for  general  circulation." 

Motion  carried. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Association,  held  April 
22,  1886,  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Perry,  238  Auburn 
avenue,  the  resolution  of  the  Trustees  was  consid- 
ered, and  on  motion  of  Mrs.  Davies  Wilson,  it  was 
unanimously  carried. 

(3) 


In  undertaking  to  fulfill  the  requirement  imposed 
upon  me  by  the  resolution  of  the  trustees,  I  shall  have 
no  better  opportunity,  perhaps,  of  expressing  the  sat- 
isfaction which  we  all  share  in  the  pleasant  relations 
that  have  existed  among  us  unbroken,  and  which  I 
hope  will  not  cease  with  the  accomplishment  of  the 
purpose  at  which  we  have  been  aiming  so  many 
years.  I  hope  the  friendly  ties  which  have  grown 
up  by  our  long  association  together,  will  not  be  weak- 
ened by  the  fact  that  the  purpose  we  have  had  in 
view  has  been  taken  hold  of  by  citizens  who  can  ap- 
preciate it  as  highly  as  we  did,  and  who  bring  to  it 
the  necessary  power  to  guarantee  its  triumphant 
success. 

238  Auburn  avenue,  April,  1886. 
(4) 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY 


•ncRsr 

Ox-  / 


The  sources  from  which  the  material  for  a  familiar 
sketch  of  the  "  Women's  Art  Museum  Association  of 
Cincinnati  "  must  be  gleaned,  are  the  annual  and  other 
official  reports  of  the  Association,  contemporary  news- 
paper notices,  personal  reminiscences,  and  letters; 
and  it  seems  admissible  to  draw  freely  from  all  these 
sources  in  the  preparation  of  a  sketch  intended,  not 
for  public  circulation,  but  to  revive,  for  the  entertain- 
ment of  those  who  were  actively  interested  in  its 
work,  pleasant  memories  of  their  long  and  intimate 
association  together.  Much  of  the  material  here  col- 
lected has  before  been  published,  but  so  long  ago  that 
it  will  perhaps  bear  repetition.  Some  of  the  letters 
given  in  full,  or  quoted  from,  may  seem  unimportant, 
yet  they  revive  memories  of  experiences — all  interest- 
ing at  the  time  they  were  made,  and  not  uninteresting 
now  as  reminiscences.  The  insertion  of  others  of 
them  seemed  the  best  mode  of  bringing  together  in 
consecutive  form,  the  leading  events  of  the  work  of 
the  organization. 

The  Association  did  not  expect,  and  made  no  effort, 
to  raise  money  for  so  great  an  undertaking  as  the  es- 
tablishment of  an  Art  Museum  ;  its  object  was  lim- 
ited to  the  effort  to  awaken  and  cultivate  an  interest 
in  the  establishment  of  such  an  institution,  with 
schools  for  training  in  the  tine  and  industrial  arts, 
and  thus  provide  here  at  home  the  means  which  shall 
raise  the  general  standard  of  taste,  and  in  time  give 
us  our  own  skilled  designers  and  workmen;  considera- 

(5) 


6  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

tions  which,  perhaps  as  much  as  an^y  other,  in  the  last 
quarter  of  the  19th  century,  enter  into  questions  of 
commercial  prosperity,  so  far  as  it  is  affected  by  the 
artistic  quality  of  national  manufactures.  1  find  no 
evidence  to  show  that  this  Association  was  not  the 
first  organized  effort,  and  the  only  one,  in  the  direc- 
tion of  an  Art  Museum  in  Cincinnati,  down  to  the 
time  of  Mr.  Charles  W.  West's  gift  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  dollars  for  a  building  fund. 

As  this  organization  grew  directly  out  of  the  ex- 
periences of  a  previous  association  of  women,  it  seems 
proper,  and  maybe  interesting,  to  note  the  connection 
which  existed,  and  which  led  directly  from  the  Cen- 
tennial Committee  of  Cincinnati  to  the  later  organi- 
zation. 

Beyond  this,  as  far  back  as  1854,  an  association  ex- 
isted, called  the  "  Cincinnati  Academy  of  Fine  Arts," 
the  aims  and  accomplishments  of  which  seem  to  me 
so  interesting  that  I  am  tempted  to  give  some  details 
of  it  as  a  kind  of  prelude  to  the  work  assigned  me. 
There  exists  no  connection  between  this  women's  as- 
sociation of  1854  and  our  own;  the  motive  which  led 
to  its  formation,  while  distinctly  in  the  direction  of 
providing  means  for  the  cultivation  of  taste,  and  the 
practice  of  artistic  work,  was,  in  point  of  time,  in  ad- 
vance of  the  Art  Museum  idea;  the  great  exposition 
of  England  was  held  in  1851,  but  the  South  Kensington 
Museum,  the  great  example  of  this  modern  phase  of 
education,  was  not  established  till  1857-9. 

It  is  difficult  to  go  so  far  back  in  the  history  of 
Cincinnati  that  we  can  not  find  evidence  of  effort  in 
the  direction  of  the  cultivation  of  taste  and  the  prac- 
tice of  the  arts;  for  example,  we  find,  in  1838,  a 


OF   CINCINNATI.  7 

"  Cincinnati  Academy  of  Fine  Arts,"  instituted  Oc- 
tober 18,  1838,  having  for  its  object  "  the  mutual  im- 
provement of  its  members  in  the  various  departments 
of  the  line  arts."  From  its  published  announcements 
the  membership  appears  to  have  been  made  up  of 
both  artists  and  amateurs.  Regular  meetings  were 
held  for  practice  in  drawing,  painting,  or  modeling. 
In  order  to  gain  funds  for  tbe  purchase  of  casts  from 
the  antique  and  other  objects  worthy  of  study,  an  ex- 
hibition of  paintings,  busts,  etc.,  was  opened.  The 
officers,  at  the  time  of  the  first  exhibition,  were  : 

JOHN  L.  WHETSTONE,  President. 

JOHN  H.  LOVEJOY,  Secretary. 

GEORGE  K.  STILLMAN,  Treasurer. 

T.  W.  WHITREDGE,  Superintendent. 

Standing  Committee. 

JOHN  H.  LOVEJOY,  T.  W.  WHITREDGE, 

G-EO.  K.  STILLMAN. 

Committee  of  Arrangements. 
JAMES  II.  BEARD,  J.  0.  GORMAN, 

ALONZO  DOUGLASS,  MINER  K.  KELLOGG. 

The  "  Western  Art  Union  "  was  established  in  Cin- 
cinnati in  1847;  incorporated  by  act  of  legislature 
1847-8. 

"  The  object  of  this  institution  is  the  encourage- 
ment of  the  fine  arts.  Every  subscriber  of  five  dol- 
lars a  year  is  a  member  for  one  year,  and  is  entitled 
to  a  copy  of  a  highly-finished  original  engraving,  the 
annual  report,  and  the  published  proceedings  and  ad- 
dresses at  the  yearly  distribution. 


8 

"All  the  funds  of  the  society,  after  defraying  the 
necessary  expenses,  will  be  devoted  to  the  purchase 
of  American  works  of  art — painting,  sculpture,  etc. — 
which  will  be  publicly  distributed  by  lot  among  all 
the  members  on  the  first  Monday  of  November  of 
each  year." 

The  officers  for  the  first  year  of  the  association 
were : 

CHAS.  STETSON,  President. 

JAMBS  F.  MELINE,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

JAMES  M.  DOUGLASS,  Recording  Secretary. 

SAMUEL  E.  FOOTE,  Treasurer. 

Directors. 

JOSEPH  LONGWORTH,  JAMES  H.  PERKINS, 

CHARLES  ANDERSON,  JAMES  HALL, 

WM.  P.  STEELE,  MILES  GREENWOOD, 

GRIFFIN  TAYLOR,  GEO.  K.  SHOENBERGER, 

JOHN  P.  FOOTE,  E.  L.  MAGOON. 

The  "  Ladies'  Academy  of  Fine  Arts  "  comes  next 
in  order  of  time.  It  was  formed  in  1854.  Of  this  an 
extended  notice  will  be  given  a  few  pages  further  on. 

The  organization  known  as  the  "Associated  Artists 
of  Cincinnati"  was  instituted  for  the  purpose  of  pro- 
viding means  for  a  more  thorough  knowledge  of  art, 
and  rendering  it  available  to  the  many  students  in 
our  midst,  by  keeping  in  operation  life  and  antique 
schools  supplied  with  suitable  models  and  otter  ap- 
pliances for  study. 

The  association  opened  its  first  annual  exhibition 
in  1866-7,  which  was  not  a  speculative  enterprise,  but 
designed  to  further  the  interests  of  art,  and  pave  the 


OF   CINCINNATI.  9 

way  for  the  creation  of  a  permanent  gallery.  The  in- 
tention was  announced  of  devoting  any  profit  which 
might  arise  to  the  purchase  of  casts,  models,  etc.,  for 
the  use  of  the  school. 

The  officers,  in  1866-7,  were: 

C.  T.  WEBBER,  President. 

ISRAEL  QUICK,  Vice- President. 

D  WIGHT  BEN  TON,  Secretary. 

J.  B.  CHADWICK,  Treasurer. 

Council. 

TOM  D.  JONES,  0.  T.  WEBBER, 

J.  INSCO  WILLIAMS,  ISRAEL  QUICK, 

WM.  P.  NOBLE,  HENRY  MOSLER, 

J.  B.  CHADWICK. 

Of  this  association  only  the  catalogue  of  the  first 
annual  exhibition  is  found. 

In  1868-9  we  find  the  "  Cincinnati  Academy  of 
Fine  Arts,"  an  incorporated  association,  with  the  ob- 
ject of  cultivating  a  love  for  the  beautiful,  and  im- 
proving the  taste  for  the  fine  arts.  With  that  pur- 
pose it  was  resolved,  in  the  first  instance,  to  have 
semi-annual  exhibitions  of  pictures,  and  as  soon  as 
possible  to  establish  a  permanent  gallery  for  the  ex- 
hibition of  pictures  and  statuary  in  this  city. 

Of  this  association  the  first  officers  and  trustees, 
1868,  were : 

W.  S.  GROESBECK,  President. 

H.  PROBASCO,  Vice- President. 

GEO.  W.  NICHOLS,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

JULIUS  DEXTER,  Recording  Secretary. 

LEWIS  E.  MILLS,  Treasurer. 


10 


Trustees. 

W.  S.  G-ROESBECK,  LEWIS  E.  MILLS, 

JOSEPH  LONGWORTH,  JULIUS  DEXTER, 

HENRY  PROBASCO,  M.  F.  FORCE, 

WM.  KARRMANN,  GEO.  W.  NICHOLS, 

C.  T.  WEBBER. 

The  data  from  which  these  brief  statements  were 
taken  were  found  in  the  Historical  and  Philosophical 
Society  of  Ohio;  but  in  each  instance  the  material 
found  was  so  fragmentary  and  imperfect  that  but 
little  could  be  gleaned. 

It  is  not  unlikely  that  other  movements  in  the 
same  general  direction  were  made  in  Cincinnati,  but 
these  mentioned  are  all  of  which  any  record  is  found 
in  the  Historical  Society,  and  they  sufficiently  ac- 
complish the  object  of  showing  how  early  and  con- 
tinuous were  such  expressions  of  the  taste  of  the 
people. 


OF    CINCINNATI.  11 


CINCINNATI  ACADEMY  OF  FINE  ARTS. 

AN    ASSOCIATION    OF    LADIES.  — 1854. 

In  the  year  1854,  an  association  of  ladies  was 
formed  in  Cincinnati,  under  the  intelligent  leadership 
of  Mrs.  Sarah  Peter,  for  the  purpose  (quoting  from 
the  articles  of  their  constitution)  "  of  founding  and 
maintaining  an  academy  of  Fine  Arts."  The  consti- 
tution provides  that  the  Association  shall  be  called 
"  The  Cincinnati  Academy  of  Fine  Arts  ;"  and,  also, 
that  the  object  of  the  Association  shall  be  "the  collection 
and  preservation  of  copies  of  paintings  and  sculptures, 
in  view  of  the  improvement  of  the  public  taste,  and 
the  encouragement  of  art." 

In  the  first  year  of  the  existence  of  this  Association, 
the  ladies  opened  a  temporary  exhibition  of  paint- 
ings, loaned  by  citizens. 

An  introduction  to  the  catalogue  of  this  loan  ex- 
hibition (in  which  the  aims  of  the  Association  are  set 
forth)  is  signed  by  the  following  members : 

Mrs.  ROB'T  BUCHANAN,  Mrs.  RUFUS  KING, 

"  ROB'T  BURNET,  "  JOHN  KILGOUR, 

"  GEO.  CARLISLE,  "  N.  LONGWORTH, 

"  JOHN  W.  COLEMAN,  "  D.  B.  LAWLER, 

"  W.  II.  DAVIS,  "  E.  D.  MANSFIELD, 

"  D.  K.  ESTE,  "  HENRY  MILLER, 

"  L.  FLETCHER,  i(  JUDGE  McLEAN, 

"  JOHN  P.  FOOTE,  "  S.  W.  POMEROY, 

"  WM.  GREENE,  u  S.  PETER, 

"  WALTER  GREGORY,  "  WM.  RESOR, 

"  GEO.  GRAHAM,  u  DR.  ROELKER, 

"  R.  HOSEA,  "  DR.  RICHARDS, 

"  JUDGE  HALL,  "  REUBEN  SPRINGER, 


12 

Mrs.  E.  S.  HAINES,  Mrs.  GEO.  SHOENBERGER, 

"    H.  FEBIGER  JONES,  "    PROF.  SODEN, 

And  many  others. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  only  this  imperfect  list  of 
the  membership  could  be  found. 

Their  efforts  seem  to  have  enlisted  public  sympathy, 
for  it  is  recorded  that  the  receipts  of  money  from  all 
sources  were  nine  thousand  two  hundred  twenty-one 
dollars  forty-three  cents.  This  amount  was  secured 
by  the  annual  membership  dues,  contributions,  and 
the  profits  of  the  exhibition  of  pictures.  One  thou- 
sand dollars  was  given  by  Mr.  Charles  McMicken,  for 
the  purchase  of  plaster  casts,  which  it  was  stipulated 
should  form  part  of  the  collection  made  by  the  ladies, 
until  a  School  of  Design  should  be  established,  to 
which  they  were  then  to  be  transferred. 

In  the  summer  of  1854,  the  ladies  decided  to  devote 
five  thousand  dollars  to  the  purchase  of  paintings, 
copies  of  the  old  masters. 

In  reference  to  this  step,  the  following  letter  is  in- 
teresting : 

Cincinnati,  July  2,  1854. 
MRS.  PETER: 

Madame — The  managers  of  the  Ladies'  Academy 
of  Art  in  Cincinnati,  highly  appreciating  the  gener- 
osity and  self-sacrifice  which  has  induced  you  to  un- 
dertake, at  your  own  expense,  a  voyage  to  Europe, 
actuated  by  noble  enthusiasm  for  the  advancement  of 
the  fine  arts  in  our  beloved  country,  hasten  to  avail 
themselves  of  this  liberality,  by  requesting  you,  in 
becoming  their  agent  for  the  disbursement  of  the  sum 
of  five  thousand  dollars,  to  lend  them  the  advantage 


OF   CINCINNATI.  13 

of  your  cultivated  taste  in  the  selection  of  such  copies, 
casts  from  fine  statuary,  engravings,  etc.,  as  your  judg- 
ment and  experience  gained  in  a  former  visit  to  the 
most  celebrated  museums  may  suggest. 

[Signed] 

LUCIA  A.  COLEMAN,  ELIZABETH  H.  HEWSON, 

SARAH  B.  CARLISLE.  C.  G-.  ROELKER, 

KATE  L.  DAVIS,  .  ELIZABETH  JONES, 

MARY  S.  LINCOLN,  HARRIET  N.  HOSEA, 
ELIZABETH  H.  APPLETON,  Managers. 

During  the  absence  of  Mrs.  Peter  abroad,  the  pros- 
pects of  the  Association  were  clouded  by  general  finan- 
cial troubles  at  home.  The  annual  report  of  the  sec- 
retary for  this  year  makes  allusion  to  the  feeling  of 
depression  consequent  upon  this  circumstance,  and 
also  gives  us  some  insight  into  the  proposed  work  of 
the  Association.  No  apology  is  needed  for  the  ex- 
tracts here  given  from  this  interesting  and  able  re- 
port : 

u  Dependent  as  the  Association  has  been  from  the 
beginning  upon  voluntary  subscriptions  and  contribu- 
tions, it  has  by  no  means  escaped  the  adverse  influ- 
ences which  have  operated  upon  the  monetary  con- 
cerns of  the  business  world  during  the  past  twelve 
months  :  addressing  itself  simply  to  the  taste  of  the 
people,  it  was  indeed  among  the  first  to  feel  the  pres- 
sure of  the  times.  It  administered  to  a  luxury  that 
had  not  yet  grown  to  be  a  necessity ;  and  while  the 
love  of  art  in  which  it  originated,  and  which  had  on 
more  than  one  occasion  illustrated  itself  in  Cincinnati, 
had  not  been  diminished  by  the  circumstances  re- 
ferred to,  the  friends  of  the  gallery  feel  with  regret 


14  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

that  the  rapid  growth  and  development  of  usefulness 
they  anticipated  for  the  institution  in  the  commence- 
ment, must  be  greatly  retarded. 

"The  plan  of  founding  this  gallery  of  art  was  con- 
ceived by  a  few  ladies  of  our  city  during  a  season  of 
general  prosperity;  the  rapid  growth  of  Cincinnati  in 
population  and  wealth,  and  the  fact  that  her  facilities 
for  the  diffusion  of  general  knowledge  already  equaled 
those  of  older  cities,  seemed  to  make  it  desirable  to 
establish  an  institution  for  the  cultivation  of  those 
tastes  which,  if  they  do  not  lie  at  the  base  of  social 
systems,  have  always  accompanied  the  march  of  na- 
tions toward  the  highest  grade  of  civilization. 

"  The  ladies  interested  in  the  undertaking  had  no 
expectation  of  being  able  to  develope  in  its  fullest 
dimensions  the  institution  they  had  in  view.  The 
means  to  do  this  were  evidently  beyond  their  reach; 
but  they  believed  that  they  might  furnish  an  example; 
that  they  might  plant  a  twig,  as  it  were,  which  in 
time,  with  growth  more  or  less  rapid,  would  undoubt- 
edly take  root  in  our  soil,  and  ultimately  bring  forth 
its  proper  flower  and  fruit. 

"  The  support  they  received  from  the  public  when 
they  commenced  their  efforts,  fully  justified  their 
anticipations  in  this  regard,  and  they  believed  them- 
selves justified  by  the  kind  reception  their  plan  and 
views  seemed  to  meet  in  the  entire  community,  in 
making  a  spirited  commencement,  even  upon  very  lim- 
ited means.  An  agent  was  accordingly  at  once  author- 
ized to  proceed  to  Europe  to  make  a  selection  of  such 
objects  of  interest  in  the  schools  of  painting,  sculpture, 
and  design,  as  might  form  an  attractive  nucleus,  and 
by  thus  gratifying  the  friends  of  the  Association  and 


OF   CINCINNATI.  15 

the  lovers  of  art,  secure  a  continuance  of  public  pat- 
ronage. Mrs.  Sarah  Peter,  the  untiring  President  of 
the  Board  of  Managers,  to  whose  suggestion  the  gal- 
lery owed  its  existence,  and  by  whose  efforts  it  has 
been  mainly  established,  became  the  agent  abroad, 
visiting  Europe  at  her  own  proper  cost,  and  wholly 
without  charge  to  the  Society.  .  .  . 

"  Some  of  Mrs.  Peter's  very  interesting  letters  have 
been  laid  before  the  public  through  the  papers  of  the 
city.  They  fully  testify  to  her  capacity  and  disinter- 
estedness. During  her  absence,  however,  a  change 
came  over  the  affairs  of  the  Association.  The  altered 
condition  of  the  business  world  began  to  curtail  its 
receipts,  and  to  impose  a  stricter  limit  upon  our  agent's 
purchases  than  had  at  first  been  imagined  to  be  nec- 
essary, so  that  when  the  agent,  after  having  ordered 
copies  from  the  Louvre  to  the  amount  (agreed  upon), 
informed  the  Board  that,  relying  on  the  continuing 
prospects  of  the  Society,  she  had  contracted  for  a  copy 
of  Raphael's  '  School  of  Athens,'  at  a  cost  of  two 
thousand  dollars,  they  found  themselves  obliged  to 
request  her,  if  practicable,  to  rescind  the  agreement. 
This,  unfortunately,  she  was  not  able  to  do ;  and  the 
work,  when  finished,  must  be  paid  for  by  the  Society, 
unless  transferred  to  a  party  from  Virginia,  who  were 
anxious,  we  understand,  to  assume  the  contract.  .  .  . 

"  It  would  be  wrong  not  to  state  in  this  connection, 
that  during  Mrs.  Peter's  absence,  the  difficulties  in 
which  the  Association  found  itself  involved,  prevented 
the  punctual  remittances  that  she  had  every  reason  to 
expect,  but  that,  upon  these  occasions,  with  her  char- 
acteristic liberality,  she  paid  what  was  necessary  out 
of  her  own  resources,  thus  increasing  still  further  the 


16 

obligations  under  which  her  conduct,  in  its  regard, 
has  placed  the  Association. 

"But  while  the  possibility  of  release  from  the  con- 
tract for  the  'School  of  Athens '  is  thus  suggested,  it 
is  earnestly  hoped  that  it  will  be  unnecessary  to  trans- 
fer to  Virginia  what  was  ordered  for  Ohio,  and  that 
even  if  it  should  require  a  special  collection  for  the 
purpose,  this  noble  work  of  art  in  its  counterfeit  pre- 
sentment, may  yet  adorn  the  Ladies'  Gallery  of  Cin- 
cinnati. .  .  . 

"A  part  of  the  plan  of  the  gallery  is  the  establish- 
ment of  a  School  of  Design,  wherein  art  may  be  taught 
as  an  occupation,  and  from  which  genius  and  skill 
may  go  forth  with  the  means  of  obtaining  honorable 
livelihood  b}T  the  exercise  of  their  accomplishments 
and  tastes.  .  .  .  The  school  it  is  proposed  to  es- 
tablish here  has  received  a  noble  gift  in  Mr.  Charles 
McMicken's  donation  of  one  thousand  dollars,  and  it 
is  earnestly  hoped  that  this  most  praiseworthy  exam- 
ple will  be  followed,  until  the  plan,  shall  be  endowed 
with  means  adequate  to  its  successful  prosecution.".  .  . 
LUCIA  A.  COLEMAN,  Secretary. 

Through  the  energetic  efforts  of  the  managers  of 
the  Association  at  home,  who  borrowed  a  sum  suffi- 
cient for  the  purpose,  Mrs.  Peter  was  relieved  of  her 
embarrassment  in  reference  to  the  "  Scliool  of  Athens" 
picture.  This  picture  was  made  by  Baize,  a  French 
artist  of  reputation,  who  was  employed  as  a  copyist 
by  the  authorities  of  the  Louvre.  In  the  subscription 
book  of  one  of  the  managers  is  found  a  list  of  persons 
who  loaned  small  sums  to  pay  for  this  painting. 

In  Mrs.  Peter's  subscription  book  is  found  the  fol- 


OF   CINCINNATI.  17 

lowing  note  :  "  Charles  McMicken  gives  one  thousand 
dollars  for  the  purpose  to  aid  in  founding  a  School  of 
Design  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  under  the  assistance  and 
management  of  Mrs.  S.  Peter,  and  for  the  purchase  of 
models,  which  may  he  placed  in  the  Ladies'  Academy 
of  Fine  Arts." 

Among  the  memoranda  found  is  a  note  in  reference 
to  a  class  for  instruction,  here  given  :  "  This  class  is 
formed  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  wish  to  acquire  a 
lucrative  profession,  and  it  is  intended  for  the  benefit 
of  such  alone  as  are  resolved  by  perseverance  and  in- 
dustry to  obtain  from  it  the  means  of  subsistence. 
None  can  be  admitted  upon  other  terms.  The  appli- 
cant must  be  in  circumstances  which  require  her  to 
support  herself,  and  it  must  be  her  intention  to  prac- 
tice some  department  of  the  arts  of  design  for  her 
livelihood." 

From  this  it  would  appear  that  the  projected  class 
was  intended  for  the  benefit  of  women  only. 

At  this  period,  1854,  the  elements  were  concen- 
trating, which,  in  1857,  crystallized  into  the  South 
Kensington  Museum.  The  awakening  which,  in 
England,  led  to  the  application  of  artistic  principles 
to  the  industries  of  the  country,  can  not  be  said  to 
have  begun  to  stir  the  people  of  the  United  States. 
The  impulse  which  animated  Mrs.  Peter  and  her  as- 
sociates to  raise  the  standard  of  taste  by  providing 
means  for  its  culture,  seems  to  have  been  in  advance 
of  the  demand  in  that  direction,  and  in  the  discourage- 
ments which  overtook  them,  their  work  may  have 
seemed  to  them  a  failure;  but  looking  back  nearly  a 
third  of  a  century,  we  see  it  take  its  place  as  one  of 


18  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

the  earliest  (perhaps  the  earliest)  expressions  of  the 
sentiment  which  in  one  way  and  another,  at  one  time 
and  another,  has  gained  strength,  and  taken  shape, 
until  the  Cincinnati  School  of  Design  has  an  endow- 
ment ample  for  its  maintenance — a  liberal  building 
fund — and  connected  as  it  now  is  with  the  Cincinnati 
Museum,  occupies  a  position  for  usefulness  second  to 
none  in  the  country. 

The  paintings  procured  by  the  efforts  of  these  ladies 
form  a  choice  selection  of  creditable  copies  of  the  old 
masters;  and,  down  to  1881,  when  Mr.  Joseph  Long- 
worth  gave  to  the  Museum  the  Leasing  collection  of 
studies  and  paintings,  they  were  the  only  material 
available  for  the  use  of  classes,  and,  in  connection 
with  the  casts  provided  by  Mr.  McMicken,  have  been 
of  value  in  forming  the  taste  of  the  thousands  of 
pupils  of  the  School  of  Design. 

Finding  it  no  longer  possible  to  interest  the  public 
in  their  enterprise,  the  ladies,  after  deliberation,  re- 
solved to  close  their  organization,  and  made  what  they 
conceived  to  be  the  best  possible  disposition  of  their 
gallery  for  future  usefulness  in  its  legitimate  direc- 
tion. 

The  paper  here  given  is  interesting,  in  reference  to 
this  step  : 

To  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  McMicken  University  of 

Cincinnati  : 

GENTLEMEN  : — I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that 
in  pursuance  of  a  call  through  the  public  prints,  a 
meeting  of  subscribers  to  the  Ladies'  Gallery  of  Art  was 
held  June  16,  1864,  at  5  o'clock  p.  M.,  in  a  room  ap- 


OF    CINCINNATI.  19 

propriated  to  their  collection  of  statuary  and  paintings 
in  the  Mechanics'  Institute,  to  take  into  consideration 
the  future  disposition  of  their  collection. 

Mrs.  Peter,  President  of  the  Association  in  the 
chair. 

Present  Mesdames  Carlisle,  Davis,  Dominick,  Jones, 
Appleton. 

After  a  free  discussion  of  the  condition  and  inter- 
ests of  the  gallery,  and  in  view  of  the  manifest  in- 
difference of  the  public,  with  a  few  honorable  except- 
ions, to  the  strenuous  efforts  of  the  managers  to 
sustain  its  progress,  the  following  preamble  and  reso- 
lutions moved  by  Mrs.  Hewson,  seconded  by  Mrs. 
Carlisle,  were  unanimously  adopted: 

"  Whereas,  the  late  Charles  McMicken,  Esq.,  by  his 
last  will  and  testament  bequeathed  a  large  estate  in 
perpetuity  to  the  city  of  Cincinnati  for  literary  and 
scientific  purposes,  and  was  moreover  by  far  the  most 
magnificent  contributor  to  the  funds  of  the  ladies' 
gallery,  which  owes  to  him  its  entire  collection  of 
statuary,  and  since  it  seemed  no  longer  expedient  for 
the  ladies  to  persevere  in  their  attempt  to  enlarge 
their  collection,  which  is  already  valuable  to  all  lovers 
of  the  tine  arts,  but  rather  to  place  it  in  safe  keeping 
for  further  use,  be  it  resolved, 

u  That  the  pictures  be  transferred  to  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  the  McMicken  University  on  condition 
that  they  assume  the  assets  and  liabilities,  and  the 
care  of  removal,  put  the  pictures  in  order,  and  give 
them  the  best  possible  place  for  exhibition  at  present. 

u  Mr.  McMicken  having  confided  the  charge  of  the 
statuary  especially  to  Mrs.  Peter  as  a  foundation  for 
a  School  of  Design,  she  also,  with  the  consent  and 


20  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

approbation  of  the  meeting,  transfers  the  whole  to  the 
Directors  of  the  McMicken  University  for  the  fur- 
therance of  the  objects  of  the  donor. 

"  Trusting  that  under  your  fostering  care  all  these 
beneficent  objects  may  be  fulfilled,  and  that  our  gal- 
lery may  continually  increase  in  beauty  and  propor- 
tion, I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  highest  respect, 
yours,  SARAH  PETER, 

President." 

CATALOGUE   OF   PICTURES   BELONGING   TO   THE    LADIES' 

GALLERY. 

School  of  Athens  (copy),  Raphael  Sanzio. 
Diogenes  (landscape)  (copy),  N.  Poussin. 
Charles  I.  (copy),  Vandyke. 
Virgin  of  Seville  (copy),  Murillo. 
Holy  Family  (copy),  Raphael  Sanzio. 
Madonna  with  the  veil. 
Maid  of  honor,  Louis  XIII,  Unknown. 
Old  Man,  Unknown. 
Two  portraits  from  Rembrandt  (copy). 
Old  Lady.     Pastel. 

Belle  of  Titian  (copy).     Presented  by  Mrs.  Springer. 
Mother  and  Child.     Presented  by  Mrs.  Springer. 
St.  Jerome.     Presented  by  Mrs.  Longworth,  Sr. 
The  Fates  (copy),   Michael    Angelo.      Presented   by 

Mrs.  Peter. 
Angels.     Water  color.     Presented  by  Mrs.  Hewson. 

CATALOGUE  OF  STATUARY  PRESENTED  BY  MR.  MCMICKEN. 
Venus  of  Milo.     From  the  fabrique  of  the  Louvre. 
Diana  with    the  Stag.      From   the  fabrique   of  the 
Louvre. 


OP   CINCINNATI.  21 

Apollo  Belvidere.     From  the  fabrique  of  the  Louvre. 
Silene  and  the  infant  Bacchus.     From  the  fabrique  of 

the  Louvre. 

Venus  di  Medicis.     From  the  fabrique  of  the  Louvre. 
Wrestler. 
Eve.     Presented  by  D.  B.  Lawler,  Esq. 

STATUETTES  FOR  A  DRAWING  SCHOOL. 
Group  of  the  Laocoon. 
Diana  from  the  bath. 
Dying  Gladiator. 
Diana. 

Yenus  stooping. 
The  Wrestlers. 
Venus  of  Milo. 
Bust  of  Antinous.     From  the  fabrique  of  Colae  and 

Barbedienne,  Paris. 
Apollo  Belvidere. 
Manikin. 

Sundry  casts  taken  from  moldings  in  the  Alhambra. 
Hands,  feet,  etc. 

The  gift  of  the  ladies  was  accepted  by  the  Directors 
of  the  University  at  a  special  meeting,  on  the  day  on 
which  it  was  made,  and  their  communication,  and  the 
catalogue  of  paintings,  sculpture,  and  casts  is  fully  en- 
tered on  the  minutes.  Besides  the  paintings  and  stat- 
uary, a  large  and  beautiful  collection  of  Studies — both 
in  plaster  and  on  paper — were  transferred. 

The  hall,  occupying  the  entire  upper  story  of  the 
building  north-east  corner  of  Third  and  Main  streets, 
was  ordered  to  be  appropriated  for  their  reception. 

Two  years  later — January  27,  1866 — a  communica- 


22  WOMEN'S  ART?  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

tion  from  T.  D.  Jones,  and  other  artists,  being  pre- 
sented to  the  board,  and  a  conference  had  with  them, 
it  was  ordered  that  the  hall,  the  paintings,  casts,  etc., 
be  put  in  charge  of  a  special  committee  of  five  of  the 
artists,  for  a  free  school  of  art,  under  their  instruc- 
tion :  a  charge  sufficient  for  their  current  expenses, 
but  no  more,  to  be  made  to  their  pupils — and,  on  May 
17,  1866,  four  hundred  dollars  was  appropriated  by 
the  board  to  fit  up  and  furnish  the  hall  as  a  school. 

Things  went  on  in  this  way  until  November  23, 
1868,  when,  in  fulfillment  of  what  was  considered  the 
motive  of  the  ladies,  and  the  evident  idea  of  Mr.  Mc- 
Micken  as  one  of  the  chief  promoters,  it  was  resolved 
to  establish  a  "Department  of  Drawing  and  Design1' 
in  the  university,  and  Mr.  Thos.  S.  Noble  was  em- 
ployed, at  a  salary  of  two  thousand  dollars,  to  carry 
out  the  plan.  The  school  was  opened  in  December, 
1868. 

When  the  observatory  on  Mt.  Adams  was  about  to 
be  removed  to  Mt.  Lookout,  Mr.  Joseph  Longworth 
offered  to  give  the  income  of  the  ground  on  which  the 
observatory  stood  to  the  new  School  of  Design,  if  the 
observatory  would  waive  its  rights.  This  was  accom- 
plished, and  an  agreement  entered  into  by  the  city  for 
the  university,  the  observatory,  and  Mr.  Longworth, 
by  which  the  income,  about  three  thousand  dollars— 
$3,000 — was  secured  to  the  School  of  Design. 

Some  time  afterward,  Mr.  Longworth  gave  fifty 
thousand  dollars — $50,000 — in  United  States  bonds, 
or  its  income,  provided  the  city  would  raise  the  income 
of  the  School  of  Design  to  $10,000.  This  was  agreed 
to.  Mr.  Longworth  afterward  invested  the  $50,000  in 
ground-rents,  whereby  the  income  was  increased,  in- 


Otf   CINCINNATI.  23 

eluding  the  $3,000,  to  $7,200,  leaving  the  city  only 
$2,800  to  provide  annually. 

The  timely  and  intelligent  help  of  Mr.  Longworth 
can  hardly  be  overestimated  in  its  effect  upon  the 
taste  and  social  habits  of  the  people  of  Cincinnati.  At 
a  time  when  there  seemed  little  encouragement  to  lib- 
erality in  that  direction,  he  established  the  School  of 
Design  upon  an  independent  footing. 

The  influence  of  the  school  is  a  pleasing  commen- 
tary upon  the  foresight  and  wisdom  of  his  often 
quoted  saying,  that  he  did  it  "  for  the  benefit  of  the 
idle  rich,  as  well  as  for  the  industrious  poor." 

After  the  establishment  of  the  "  Cincinnati  Mu- 
seum " — the  scheme  of  which  was  broad  enough  to  in- 
clude training  schools — Mr.  Joseph  Longworth,  who 
had  already  done  so  much  for  the  School  of  Design 
and  the  Museum,  ardently  desired  to  see  the  two  insti- 
tutions united  under  one  organization — the  one  being 
the  natural  supplement  of  the  other.  This  required 
the  consent  of  the  trustees  of  McMicken  University, 
and  also  some  legislation — both  of  which  were  hap- 
pily accomplished — and  a  few  months  after  the  death 
of  Mr.  Longworth  the  transfer  was  made,  with  an  en- 
dowment by  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Longworth  in  accord- 
ance with  his  known  plans,  of  $371,631  for  the  Art 
School.  (See  Annual  Reports  of  Cincinnati  Museum 
Association.) 

Mrs.  Peter,  and  her  associates,  are  entitled  to  an 
honorable  place  in  the  historic  memories  of  the  city. 
It  can  not  be  said  of  them  that  they  "  builded  wiser 
than  they  knew ;"  for  the  evidence  is  clear  that  they 
aimed  to  establish  a  practical  School  of  Design. 
"  The  little  twig  "  which  they  planted,  has  taken  root  in 
our  soil,  and  brought  forth  "its  proper  flower  and  fruit." 


24  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

WOMEN'S  ART   MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION  OF 
CINCINNATI. 

The  "Women's  Centennial  Committee"  of  Cincin- 
nati met  for  its  final  session  on  January  18,  1877,  in 
the  rooms  of  the  "  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion." The  ladies  had  been  called  together,  and  in- 
vited to  form  an  Association,  by  Mrs.  General  Noyes, 
centennial  commissioner  for  Ohio.  The  organiza- 
tion was  formed  on  October  29,  1874,  from  the  com- 
mon impulse  which  led  to  similar  organizations 
among  women  throughout  the  United  States,  namely  : 
to  'secure  a  creditable  representation  of  women's 
work  at  the  approaching  "  Centennial,"  and  to  bear 
the  expense  of  its  transportation  and  exposition  at 
Philadelphia.  The  women  of  Cincinnati  had  done 
their  full  share  in  this  work,  and  had  reason  to  feel 
they  had  done  it  well.  They  entered  upon  it  with  in- 
terest, and  carried  it  out  with  enthusiasm.  Through 
their  efforts,  Cincinnati  was  represented  in  the  dis- 
play of  women's  work  by  a  large  exhibit  from  the 
School  of  Design  of  Cincinnati.  The  amateur  work 
in  over-glaze  china  painting,  by  Cincinnati  women, 
was  surpassed  by  none,  in  quantity  or  quality,  shown 
at  the  great  exposition  by  women  from  other  parts  of 
the  country — and  it  formed  an  important  part  in  the 
first  public  indication  of  the  dawn  of  a  new  and  inter- 
esting industry  in  the  United  States.  Numerous 
other  branches  of  fine  and  industrial  work  were  also 
represented  by  the  Cincinnati  committee. 

The  expense  had  been  considerable  :  packing,  trans- 
portation, and  insurance:  traveling  expenses,  and 
wages  of  a  carpenter,  to  go  on  and  unpack  goods : 
salary  of  person  in  charge  during  the  period  of  six 


OF   CINCINNATI.  25 

months.  Five  thousand  dollars  had  been  contributed 
toward  that  afterthought,  the  "  Women's  Pavilion." 
The  ladies  had  reason  to  congratulate  themselves  that 
good,  living  wages  had  been  paid  for  all  service ;  and 
that  no  one's  work  had  been  cheapened  by  them. 
The  receipts  of  money  from  all  sources  were  $14,465  95. 
The  interesting  national  celebration  had  come,  and 
gone:  the  exhibits  were  dispersed:  the  bills  all 
paid  :  a  little  balance  remained  in  the  treasury,  and 
the  committee  had  met  to  close  its  organization. 

The  close  personal  association  during  the  two  years 
had  strengthened  old  ties  of  friendship,  and  new  ones 
had  been  formed :  the  thoughts  of  the  committee  had 
naturally  been  directed  to  a  consideration  of  what 
might  prove  profitable  branches  of  work  in  the  fu- 
ture for  women,  especially  with  the  benefits  of  tech- 
nical training,  the  value  of  which  had  been  the  great 
lesson  taught  by  the  display  of  skilled  work  at  Phil- 
adelphia. 

The  subject  of  a  new  organization  in  the  direction 
indicated  had  been  for  sometime  thought  of  by  the 
ladies,  and  now,  as  the  closing  act  of  the  "  Centennial 
Committee,"  it  was 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  the  wish  of  this  committee 
that  they  reorganize  as  an  Association,  to  advance 
women's  work,  more  especially  in  the  direction  of  in- 
dustrial art ;"  also, 

"Resolved,  That  Mrs.  Aaron  F.  Perry  be  requested, 
at  a  suitable  time,  to  call  a  meeting  for  deliberation, 
and  lay  before  it  a  definite  plan  of  work." 

As  a  result  of  these  resolutions,  a  meeting  was  held 
January  27,  1877,  at  which  Mrs.  Perry  read  the  fol- 
lowing paper : 


26  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

"At  the  final  meeting,  January  18,  1877,  of  the 
Women's  Centennial  Executive  Committee  of  this 
city,  it  was  resolved  to  reorganize  as  an  Association, 
to  advance  women's  work,  more  particularly  in  the 
direction  of  industrial  art.  I  was  requested  by  the 
resolution  to  prepare  a  definite  plan  to  be  laid  before 
this  meeting.  In  compliance  with  this  request,  I  have 
endeavored  to  inform  myself  somewhat,  in  the  direc- 
tion of  what  I  suppose  to  be  your  wishes,  and  present 
the  following,  not  as  a  definite  plan,  but  for  your  con- 
sideration : 

"  Within  a  few  years  there  have  been  established  in 
the  United  States  several  museums  of  fine  and  indus- 
trial art,  whose  object  it  is  to  represent,  by  copies,  if 
not  originals,  the  best  results  of  art  which  have  come 
down  to  the  present  day,  and,  in  connection  with 
training  schools,  to  encourage  the  application  of  the 
principles  of  art  and  science  to  manufactures  and 
practical  life. 

"  The  following  extract  from  an  article  by  Prof. 
Ware,  of  the  Institute  of  Technology,  Boston,  may 
not  be  out  of  place  in  this  connection : 

"'At  the  Universal  Exhibition  of  1851,  England 
found  herself,  by  common  consent,  almost  at  the  bot- 
tom of  the  list,  among  all  the  nations  of  the  world,  in 
respect  to  her  art  manufactures.  Only  the  United 
States,  among  the  great  nations,  stood  below  her.  The 
first  result  of  this  discovery  was  the  establishment  of 
schools  of  art  in  every  large  town.  At  the  Paris  Ex- 
hibition of  1867  England  stood  among  the  foremost, 
and,  in  some  branches  of  manufacture,  distanced  the 
most  artistic  nations.  It  was  the  schools  of  art,  and 
the  great  collection  of  works  of  art  at  the  South 


OF    CINCINNATI.  27 

Kensington  Museum,  that  accomplished  the  result. 
The  United  States  still  held  her  place  at  the  foot  of 
the  column.' 

"  The  South  Kensington  Museum  and  Schools,  and 
the  results  that  have  flowed  from  them,  giving  to  En- 
gland at  the  present  time  a  foremost  position  among 
the  great  nations,  in  respect  of  her  fine  and  industrial 
arts,  is  truly  the  best  monument  of  the  Exposition  of 
1851. 

"  Its  nucleus  consisted  of  gifts  and  purchases  to 
the  amount  of  £9,000.  'Bit  by  bit  it  was  built  up; 
treasure  by  treasure  it  was  added  to;  no  large  sums 
were  voted  for  it ;  here  was  a  purchase,  there  was  a 
gift  or  bequest,'  until  at  the  present  day  more  than 
one  thousand  students  annually  obtain  an  education 
from  it,  fitting  them  for  designers,  architects,  instruct- 
ors, painters,  sculptors,  connoisseurs,  etc. 

"The  artistic  excellence  of  the  manufactures  of 
Great  Britain  formed  one  of  the  most  attractive  fea- 
tures to  many  visitors  at  our  Centennial  Exposition 
last  summer.  The  results  of  training  at  the  South 
Kensington,  and  other  schools,  gave  beauty  and  com- 
mercial value  not  only  to  her  most  costly  productions, 
but  to  the  simplest  articles  of  household  use.  It  was 
visible  in  the  designs,  and  in  the  harmony  of  tone 
and  color  of  her  fabrics,  in  her  hardware  house- 
fittings,  her  Lambeth  faience  and  tiles,  and  other  finer 
potteries;  in  the  coarse,  but  attractive  gray  Doulton 
stoneware  and  terra-cottas ;  in  the  rich  jewelry,  woven 
laces,  carpets,  etc. 

"This  display  of  the  schools  and  museums  of  Eu- 
rope, in  their  application  to  the  mechanical  industries 
of  the  civilized  world,  it  is  presumed,  will  not  be  lost 


28  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

on  the  American  people.  A  new  impulse  has  been 
given  to  schools  of  fine  and  industrial  art  already  in 
existence,  and  the  art  collections  in  Boston,  New  York, 
Philadelphia,  and  Washington  have  been  enriched  by 
purchase  and  gift  from  the  <  Centennial '  of  187(3. 

"A  brief  glance  at  what  has  been  done  in  this  di- 
rection in  some  of  our  cities  may  not  be  uninterest- 
ing. It  would  seem  that  the  first  practical  movement 
toward  the  establishment  of  museums  and  schools  of 
industrial  art  in  this  country  was  made  almost  simul- 
taneously in  Boston  and  'New  York,  early  in  1870.  The 
^Boston  Museum  of  Fine  Arts'  was  incorporated  in  Feb- 
ruary of  that  year.  The  city  gave  the  land  upon  con- 
dition that  a  building  of  the  value  of  $100,000  should 
be  erected  within  three  years;  a  term  afterward  ex- 
tended to  six  years.  The  city  of  Boston  appears  to 
have  been  systematically  canvassed  for  subscriptions. 
A  large  committee  was  appointed,  and  meetings  were 
held  in  private  houses  in  the  interest  of  the  popular 
undertaking.  Money  was  collected  from  all  sources; 
from  private  individuals,  business  firms  and  their  em- 
ployees; from  the  teachers  of  the  different  schools; 
from  tableaux,  fairs,  and  other  entertainments;  the 
sums  ranging  from  $25,000  (the  gift  of  a  lady)  to 
thirty -five  cents.  Before  the  summer  of  1871,  the 
subscriptions  reached  the  amount  of  $250,000.  In  ad- 
dition, bequests,  donations,  and  loans  of  works  of  art, 
and  collections  were  received,  such  as  the  bequest  of 
Charles  Sumner ;  the  collection  of  Egyptian  antiqui- 
ties, donated  by  Mr.  Way ;  the  Gray  collection  of  en- 
gravings from  Harvard  College,  arid  numerous  others, 
which  were  placed  in  the  Athenseum  until  the  corn-  • 


OF   CINCINNATI.  29 

pletion  of  the  Museum  building,  which  was  formally 
opened  July  3,  1876. 

"In  April,  1870,  the  <  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,' 
of  New  York,  was  incorporated.  A  year  later  the 
sum  of  $500,000  was  granted  by  the  state  for  the 
erection  of  a  building  Ho  be  located  in  Central  Park, 
or  on  other  public  ground.' 

"The  impulse  which  resulted  in  the  ' Pennsylvania 
Museum  and  School  of  Industrial  Art'  is  said  to  have 
been  inspired  by  the  near  approach  of  the  Interna- 
tional Exhibition. 

"An  Association  was  formed  and  incorporated  on 
the  plan  of  the  institution  at  South  Kensington,  for 
the  development  of  the  art  industries  of  Pennsylvania. 
A  considerable  sum  of  money  was  devoted  to  the  pur- 
chase of  master-pieces  of  fine  and  industrial  art  at 
the  Exposition,  and  the  use  of  Memorial  Hall  in  Fair- 
mount  Park — after  the  close  of  the  Exposition — was 
secured  for  the  purposes  of  the  Museum. 

"The  question  naturally  arises  whether  Cincinnati 
shall  not  add  to  the  advantages  already  possessed  by 
her,  the  nucleus  of  a  museum  and  school  which  shall 
eventually  aid  in  doing  for  the  industries  of  Ohio  and 
of  this  city,  what  the  South  Kensington  Museum  and 
Schools  have  done  for  England. 

"A  museum  alone,  it  is  thought  by  those  who  have 
given  most  attention  to  the  subject,  would  fail  to  ac- 
complish the  object.  However  richly  endowed,  it 
would  be  but  a  show  without  the  training  schools 
which  should  accompany  it. 

"In  Cincinnati  we  have  drawing  classes  in  the 
public  schools,  and  we  have  our  School  of  Design,  but 
without  a  collection,  such  as  a  museum  would  bring 


30  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

together,  they  are  only  a  part  of  a  scheme  of  educa- 
cation,  and  lose  a  great  portion  of  their  efficiency. 

"Aside  from  other  considerations,  perhaps  no 
class  of  the  community  will  be  more  benefited  than 
women  by  opportunities  of  thorough  education  in 
industrial  art. 

"At  South  Kensington  there  are  said  to  be  more 
women  than  men  among  the  pupils,  and  it  is  also 
said  by  Professor  Walter  Smith,  formerly  of  that 
school,  now  Art  Director  of  Massachusetts,  that  their 
success  is  greater  than  that  of  the  male  students. 
Miss  Barlow's  etchings  on  the  Doulton  stone-ware, 
stamped  it  as  the  costliest  in  the  collection  at  our 
'  Centennial,'  and  some  of  the  exquisite  designing 
and  painting  on  the  Lambeth  faience  and  tiles  was 
the  work  of  women,  pupils  of  the  art  schools  of 
England. 

"The  work  of  women  in  this  country  is  also  being 
advanced,  slowly  but  surely,  in  the  same  direction. 
The  exhibits  of  their  work  at  the  Centennial  Expo- 
sition from  the  *  Cooper  Institute,'  New  York ;  the 
6  Lowell  Free  Industrial  School/  Massachusetts;  the 
1  Institute  of  Technology,'  Massachusetts  ;  the  '  Pitts- 
burg  School  of  Design,'  and  other  similar  institutions, 
formed  a  most  interesting  revelation  of  the  oppor- 
tunities which  are  being  opened  to  women  by  these 
Technical  Art  Schools.  The  specimens  of  designs  for 
calico  printing,  oil  cloths,  carpets,  ribbons,  lace,  and 
wall  paper,  with  copies  of  casts,  architectural  draw- 
ings, etc.,  were  not  inferior,  so  far  as  they  went,  to 
the  exhibit  from  the  South  Kensington  school,  which 
was  largely  displayed. 

"In   our  own  city  the  School  of  Design  has  been 


OF    CINCINNATI.  31 

instrumental  in  awakening  a  desire  for  further  educa- 
tional facilities;  but  it  is  limited  in  its  usefulness  by 
want  of  means.  At  the  present  time  there  are  up- 
wards of  seventy  applicants  awaiting  vacancies  in  the 
department  of  drawing  alone.  The  specialty  of  china 
painting  might  be  mentioned  as  an  art  industry  of 
increasing  interest  among  us.  What  has  been  done 
in  that  direction  thus  far  is  scarcely  more  than  an  ex- 
pression of  the  latent  taste  of  some  of  our  women,  for 
its  development  has  been  almost  wholly  without  op- 
portunity for  training.  As  a  social  and  domestic  in- 
fluence we  are  not  in  danger,  perhaps,  of  estimating 
too  highly  culture  in  such  directions. 

"  A  quarter  of  a  century  ago  manufacturers  in  Eng- 
land paid  large  sums  annually  to  foreign  artists  for 
designs.  At  the  present  day  a  large  part  of  the  com- 
mercial value  of  her  manufactures  is  the  direct  result 
of  her  own  industrial  and  fine  art  museums  and  train- 
ing schools.  So  marked  was  the  advance  made  by 
England  between  their  exhibition  of  1851  and  that  of 
1862,  in  the  artistic  quality  of  her  industries,  that 
French  manufacturers,  it  is  said,  were  led  to  fear  that 
their  own  industrial  art  supremacy  was  endangered. 

"  The  United  States  is  probably  destined  to  make 
more  rapid  strides  in  the  same  direction.  Drawing 
in  our  public  schools,  and  Schools  of  Design  in  a 
number  of  the  larger  cities,  is  the  beginning  of  the 
preparation. 

"  The  interest  felt  in  this  subject  by  members  of  the 
late  Centennial  Committee  of  Cincinnati,  incident  to 
the  work  then  undertaken,  was  extended  and  deepened 
by  the  attention  they  gave  it,  and  the  information 
they  acquired.  Many  of  them  visited  the  exposition 


32  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

at  Philadelphia,  and  were  greatly  impressed,  not  only 
with  the  range  of  the  subject  to  which  they  had  been 
giving  attention,  but  with  its  practical  and  important 
relations  to  other  subjects  of  recognized  gravity. 
They  also  became  conscious  of  a  more  extended  sym- 
pathy and  more  interested  inquiry  among  the  women 
of  Cincinnati  than  they  had  before  known.  Since 
the  exposition  has  passed,  the  impulse  has  not  shown 
signs  of  dying  out,  but  rather  of  renewed  vitality. 
The  results,  not  inconsiderable,  accomplished  by  the 
late  Centennial  Committee  in  connection  with  their 
growing  interest  in  the  general  subject,  and  their 
knowledge  of  interest  felt  in  it  by  others,  reinforced, 
perhaps,  by  experience  of  the  pleasure  of  an  associa- 
tion which  has  proved  so  agreeable  to  themselves, 
have  led  them  to  inquire  whether  or  not  they  would 
necessarily  fail  in  an  attempt  to  aid  in  the  develop- 
ment of  a  liberal  impulse  so  pleasant,  and  so  useful, 
to  all  home  interests,  and  whether  a  much  larger  num- 
ber of  the  women  of  Cincinnati  might  not  be  en- 
listed. 

"The  history  of  similar  impulses  elsewhere  shows 
a  nearly  uniform  growth  until  they  result  in  museums 
and  training  schools. 

"  Our  proposed  organization,  if  one  should  be  made, 

must,  I  conceive,  be  measurably  aimless,  or  aim  at 

that  result.     This  conclusion  presents  the  difficulties 

in  a  light  so  formidable  that  we  may  fairly  weigh  them. 

"  ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY, 

"February  5,  1877."  "  Chairman,  pro  tern." 

With  a  view  to  ascertain  what  sympathy  and  en- 
couragement a  movement  in  the  direction  indicated 


OF   CINCINNATI.  33 

would  be  likely  to  meet  with,  a  joint  meeting  of  ladies 
and  gentlemen  was  invited  on  March  12,  1877,  at  the 
house  of  Mrs.  A.  S.  Winslow. 

The  meeting  was  largely  attended  by  ladies,  but 
only  two  gentlemen,  Col.  Geo.  Ward  Nichols  and  Mr. 
Julius  Dexter,  were  present. 

Mrs.  Perry  occupied  the  chair  and  introduced  the 
object  of  the  meeting  by  reading  the  following  paper : 

"  Considerable  interest  has  been  felt  during  the  past 
year  by  a  few  ladies,  members  of  the  late  Centennial 
Committee  of  Cincinnati,  in  the  idea  of  a  Museum 
of  fine  and  industrial  art  in  this  city.  Several  meet- 
ings have  been  held  by  them,  to  consider  the  subject 
of  an  organization  which  should  enlist  the  interest  of 
the  women  of  Cincinnati  to  this  end. 

"At  a  meeting  a  few  days  ago,  it  was  resolved  to  in- 
vite a  few  ladies  and  gentlemen  whose  opinion  and 
influence  would  be  valuable  to  a  conference  on  the 
subject. 

"  The  ladies  are  aware  of  the  magnitude  of  the  prop- 
osition to  inaugurate  successfully  a  movement  for  a 
museum,  with  its  masterpieces  of  fine  and  industrial 
art,  its  library  and  training  schools.  They  believe, 
if  undertaken,  it  should  be  on  a  scale  of  complete- 
ness which  would  furnish  thorough  instruction  in  the 
various  branches  of  fine  and  industrial  art,  not  only 
to  our  own  citizens,  but  to  the  state  and  adjoining 
states.  The  exhibit  at  the  Centennial  Exposition  last 
summer  of  the  results  of  the  museums  and  training 
schools  of  Europe,  in  their  effect  upon  industrial  art, 
in  comparison  with  the  low  standard  of  the  artistic 
quality  in  the  manufactures  of  this  country,  has  not 
lessened  the  importance  of  the  subject  in  their  minds, 


34 

nor  the  interest  felt  in  it.  It  seems  not  an  extrava- 
gance to  think  that  the  women  of  this  city,  in  an  or- 
ganization for  an  object  of  so  much  local  interest  and 
pride,  could  accomplish  substantial  results. 

"  To  ascertain  to  what  extent  the  sympathy  and  sup- 
port of  the  community  would  be  given  to  such  an  or- 
ganization is  the  object  for  which  this  conference  was 
sought.  A  full  and  informal  expression  of  opinion  is 
invited." 

Some  exchange  of  views  was  had  at  this  meeting, 
but  the  ladies  generally  were  not  prepared  to  discuss 
so  new  and  important  a  subject;  they  were  interested, 
but  inquiring.  The  conference  resulted,  however,  in 
the  appointment  of  a  committee  "  to  prepare, a  scheme 
for  the  organization  and  establishment  of  an  Art  Mu- 
seum and  Training  Schools  in  this  city." 

After  several  meetings  for  consideration  of  the  sub- 
ject, the  committee  presented  the  following  report, 
which  was  adopted : 

"  The  committee  appointed  at  a  meeting  held  March 
12,  1877,  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  A.  S.  Winslow,  to  pre- 
pare a  scheme  for  the  organization  and  establishment 
of  an  Art  Museum  and  Training  Schools  in  this  city, 
beg  leave  to  report  that,  after  due  deliberation  and 
consultation,  they  recommend  that  the  ladies  who 
have  been  for  some  time  discussing  the  feasibility  of 
such  an  undertaking,  should  perfect  an  organization 
in  aid  of  the  movement;  and,  in  order  to  inspire  con- 
fidence in  those  who  may  wish  to  contribute  to  the 
support  of  the  enterprise,  they  recommend  further, 
that  the  following  named  gentlemen,  A.  T.  Goshorn, 
Joseph  Longworth,  L.  B.  Harrison,  A.  D.  Bullock, 
A.  S.  Winslow,  Julius  Dexter,  George  Ward  Nichols, 


OF   CINCINNATI.  35 

Wm.  H.  Davis,  0.  J.  Wilson,  be  invited  to  act  as  a 
committee  to  draft  a  form  of  subscription,  and  to  take 
such  steps  as  in  their  judgment  will  best  promote  the 
establishment  of  an  Art  Museum,  until  such  time 
as  the  subscribers  to  a  fund  for  this  object  shall  effect 
a  permanent  organization. 

"This  committee  further  recommend  that  the 
above-named  gentlemen  meet  at  an  early  day,  to  take 
such  steps  as  may  seem  to  them  proper." 

[Signed],  MRS.  E.  F.  NOYES, 

MRS.  K.  L.  DAVIS, 
MRS.  AARON  F.  PERRY, 
GEORGE  WARD  NICHOLS. 

The  gentlemen  named  on  the  committee  generally 
expressed  their  sympathy  with  the  movement,  and 
some  of  them  took  an  active  interest  in  its  advance- 
ment. 

On  April  28,  1877,  a  meeting  of  ladies  was  held, 
and  it  was  resolved  to  form  an  organization  whose 
aim  should  be  to  interest  the  women  of  Cincinnati  in 
the  object  proposed.  A  constitution  was  adopted, 
and  officers  and  standing  committees  were  appointed, 
as  follows : 

President. 

MRS.  AARON  F.  PERRY. 

Vice- Presidents. 

MRS.  JOHN  DAVIS,  MRS.  A.  D.  BULLOCK, 

"     JOHN  SHILLITO,  "     A.  S.  WINSLOW, 

"     O.  J.  WILSON,  "     "WM.  DODD. 


36  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

Treasurer. 
MRS.  EDW.  F.  NOYES. 

Secretaries. 

Miss  ELIZABETH  H.  APPLETON, 
"      LAURA  VALLETTE.* 

STANDING   COMMITTES. 

Finance. 

MRS.  THEO.  STANWOOD,        MRS.  GEO.  W.  MCALPIN, 
"     WM.  E.  WILLIAMSON,    "     CHAS.  DEXTER, 
"     J.  A.  FRAZER,  "     ADOLPH  WOOD. 

Entertainment. 

MRS.  W.  P.  HULBERT,          MRS.  E.  WILLIAMS, 
"     JAMES  MCKEEHAN,        "     E.  T.  CARSOK, 
"     WILLIAM  DOUGHTY,       "     JOHN  KILGOUR, 
"•    L.  M.  DAYTON,  "     HARRY  SMITH, 

"     L.  B.  REAKIRT,  Miss  FLORENCE  CARLISLE. 

Publication. 

MRS.  J.  T.  PERRY,  MRS.  P.  MALLON, 

"     M.  F.  FORCE,  "     F.  W.  CLARKE, 

"     C.  A.  PLIMPTON,  "     FAYETTE  SMITH. 

The  first  money  paid  into  the  treasury  toward  the 
future  Art  Museum  was  the  sum  of  three  hundred 
and  eighty-four  dollars  and  twenty-two  cents  ($384.22), 
the  remnant  left  from  the  operations  of  the  Centen- 

*Now  Mrs.  John  A.  Gano. 


OF   CINCINNATI. 

trial  Committee,  and  transferred  by  it  to  the  new  or- 
ganization. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Association  on  May  31,  1877, 
the  resignations  of  Mrs.  Edw.  F.  Noyes,  as  Treasurer, 
and  of  Mrs.  0.  J.  Wilson,  as  Vice-President,  were  re- 
ceived, with  regret. 

General  ISToyes  had  accepted  the  appointment  of 
Minister  to  France,  and  Mrs.  Noyes  was  preparing  to 
leave  for  a  residence  in  Paris.  Mrs.  O.  J.  Wilson  also 
expected  soon  to  leave  for  an  indefinite  absence 
abroad. 

The  vacancies  were  filled  respectively  by  the  elec- 
tion of  Mrs.  Henry  C.  Whitman  and  Mrs.  George 
Carlisle. 

The  following  statements  are  taken  from  the  report 
of  the  president  at  this  meeting: 

"The  work  of  the  meeting  to-day  seems  to  com- 
plete the  organization  of  this  Association,  the  first 
steps  of  which  were  taken  nearly  five  months  ago. 

"  This  may  seem  along  period  with  but  little  accom- 
plished ;  it  is  not  so  in  fact.  When  the  subject  of  an 
association  of  women  for  this  purpose  was  first  pre- 
sented at  a  meeting  in  January  last,  fourteen  ladies 
were  present.  The  matter  had  already  been  talked 
of  informally,  but  had  not  taken  shape  nor  been  def- 
initely considered. 

"  Since  then  many  meetings  have  been  held,  com- 
mittees have  been  appointed  and  have  reported,  con- 
sultations have  been  had  in  different  directions,  and 
deliberation  has  been  given  to  every  step  of  its 
progress. 

"  The  constitution  has  been  carefully  adapted  not 
only  to  present,  but  future  needs,  by  a  select  commit- 


38 

tee,  viz.,  Mrs.  P.  Mallon,  Mrs.  John  Davis,  Mrs.  John 
T.  Perry. 

"  The  form  which  the  organization  should  take  was  a 
matter  of  importance,  and  has  been  the  subject  of  dis- 
cussion. The  difference  of  views  has  been  harmon- 
ized, and  the  form  of  the  present  Association  adopted. 
A  special  committee  on  by-laws  has  been  appointed, 
viz.,  Mrs.  A.  J.  Howe,  Mrs.  John  Davis,  Mrs.  A. 
Campbell. 

"  Much  interest  has  already  been  awakened  among 
women  on  the  subject  of  an  Art  Museum.  Evidences 
of  this  are  met  with  in  all  directions :  sometimes  in 
quarters  where  least  expected.  The  membership  of 
the  Association  now  numbers  eighty,  each  of  whom 
has  been  constituted  a  committee  to  confer  with 
others.  The  subject  is,  in  its  nature,  so  full  of  inter- 
est, that  it  seems  to  me  it  only  nseds  to  be  presented, 
and  the  objects  of  the  Association  explained. 

"As  an  association  of  women  we  may  fairly  take  the 
position  that  we  are  not  beggars  for  unwilling  gifts, 
but  simply  aiming  to  present  an  instrumentality 
through  which  those  who  wish  to  give  may  do  so,  to 
help  to  a  result  which  shall  be  a  joy  and  delight,  as 
well  as  an  educator,  to  ourselves  and  to  those  whom 
we  may  leave  behind  us." 

The  Association  adjourned  till  fall,  at  the  close  of 
this  meeting. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Association  held  December 
3,  1877,  the  president  made  the  following  statement: 
"  In  consequence  of  the  numerous  and  pressing  claims 
for  money  upon  citizens  this  winter,  and  the  general 
hard  times  affecting  the  community,  it  would  seem 


OF   CINCINNATI.  39 

unwise  to  take  any  active  steps  toward  raising  money 
at  this  time. 

"  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  a  healthy  interest  in 
the  subject  exists,  and  that  the  present  is  a  not  unfa- 
vorable time  for  deepening  and  extending  it.  In  the 
accomplishment  of  any  enterprise  of  so  much  impor- 
tance to  the  city  as  the  establishment  of  an  Art  Mu- 
seum on  the  broad  basis  proposed,  the  foundation  and 
guaranty  of  success  would  be  in  a  general  and  indi- 
vidual appreciation  of  what  is  aimed  at.  Well  directed 
effort  to  this  end  would  confer  dignity  upon  the  Asso- 
ciation by  showing  that  we  are  not  striving  for  a  mere 
bauble,  but  for  the  advancement  and  happiness  of  our 
city  and  our  homes.  It  would  not  be  time  lost,  nor 
effort  wasted. 

"  In  consideration  of  the  circumstances,  and  no  other 
plan  having  heen  proposed,  I  take  the  liberty  of  sub- 
mitting for  your  consideration  the  following : 

"That  several  free  lectures,  bearing  upon  the  inter- 
ests of  the  city,  be  given  under  the  auspice's  of  the 
Association  during  the  winter,  say  one  in  each  of  the 
months  of  January,  February,  and  March. 

"  The  first  lecture  to  present  an  account  of  the  man- 
ufactures carried  on  in  the  city,  the  extent  to  which 
they  are  sent  to  other  parts  of  the  country,  and  to  for- 
eign countries ;  also  the  amount  and  kinds  of  manu- 
factures for  which  we  depend  on  a  foreign  supply,  etc. 

"  The  second  lecture  to  treat  of  those  branches  of 
manufacture  which  would  be  especially  and  directly 
benefited  by  trained  designers  and  workmen  from  art 
schools;  of  the  increased  commercial  value  of  the  in- 
dustries of  the  city  when  the  principles  of  art  shall 
have  been  applied  to  them ;  of  the  general  advantage 


40  WOMEN'S    ART   MUSEUM    ASSOCIATION 

to  all  classes  of  our  population  in  their  business  and 
social  life,  and  especially  to  women,  which  would  re- 
sult from  the  educational  means  furnished  by  an  Art 
Museum  with  schools  for  technical  training. 

"  The  third  lecture,  on  the  South  Kensington  Mu- 
seum. What  it  is ;  how  it  originated ;  what  it  has 
done,  and  is  now  doing,  not  only  for  England  but  for 
the  world ;  and  what  the  effects  of  such  an  institution 
would  be  upon  the  industries  and  homes  of  our  city 
and  state." 

In  due  time,  the  committee  to  whom  was  intrusted 
the  duty  of  arranging  for  this  course  of  lectures — Mrs. 
Elizabeth  W.  Perry,  Mrs.  Caroline  Hulbert,  Miss  Elie- 
abeth  H.  Appleton,  Miss  Laura  Yallette — reported  the 
acceptance  by  the  following  gentlemen  of  their  invi- 
tation to  deliver  the  three  lectures  : 

Mr.  Sidney  D.  Maxwell,  superintendent  of  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  for  the  first  lecture. 

Col.  Geo.  Ward  Nichols,  for  the  second. 

Hon.  Chas.  P.  Taft,  for  the  third. 

Some  modification  of  the  terms  of  the  first  lecture 
was  proposed  by  Mr.  Maxwell,  and  acceded  to  by  the 
committee :  whilst  not  very  important,  the  corres- 
pondence which  ensued  with  Mr.  Maxwell  and  the 
other  lecturers  has  some  interest  from  its  connec- 
tion with  the  work  at  that  time,  and  is  here  in- 
serted. 

In  a  letter  from  Mr.  Maxwell,  he  suggested,  instead 
of  the  title  proposed  for  the  first  lecture  by  the  Asso- 
ciation, "  The  Manufactures  of  Cincinnati  and  their 
Relation  to  the  Future  Progress  of  the  City."  "The 


OF   CINCINNATI.  41- 

first  part,"  he  says,  "  would  be  general  enough  to  em- 
brace all  the  details  required,  and  the  latter  would 
open  the  way  fgr  such  reflections  as  to  their  influence 
on  the  future  of  the  city  as  the  circumstances  and  the 
occasion  might  suggest.  Our  manufactures  are  so 
broad,  that  it  occurred  to  me  to  suggest  a  close  adher- 
ence to  our  own  production  ;  and,  with  your  permis- 
sion, I  shall  be  pleased  to  pursue  this  course,  alluding 
only  incidentally,  if  at  all,  to  our  importations. 

"  I  shall  be  pleased  to  hear  from  you,  or  confer  with 
you,  at  any  time  with  reference  to  the  subject.  The 
suggestions  I  have  made  I  have  deemed  in  the  inter- 
est of  the  lecture,  as  well  as  the  lecturer,  who  may  need 
some  forbearance  at  your  hands  before  the  end  is 
reached." 

238  MT.  AUBURN,  Jan.  10, 1878. 
Mr.  Sidney  D.  Maxwell : 

DEAR  SIR — The  committee  accept  your  modification 
of  the  terms  of  your  lecture,  only  stipulating  that  the 
logical  sequence  intended  to  exist  between  the  lectures 
of  the  course  shall  be  preserved.  Your  lecture  being 
the  foundation  of,  and  naturally  leading  to,  that  of 
Col.  Nichols. 

You  are  kind  enough  to  say  in  your  note  that  you 
will  be  glad  to  receive  any  suggestions  the  committee 
may  have  to  make  on  the  subject  of  your  lecture,  or 
to  meet  them  at  any  time  in  conference. 

I  may  say  for  myself,  and  for  the  other  ladies  of  the 
committee,  Mrs.  Hulbert,  Miss  Appleton,  and  Miss 
Vallette,  that  while  we  would  be  happy  to  meet  you 
at  any  time,  if  you  desire  it,  we  have  really  no  sug- 
gestions to  make. 


42  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

The  committee  feel  that  the  lecture  is  in  most  com- 
petent hands,  and  may  be  safely  left  to  your  judgment. 
Very  respectfully. yours, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY, 
Of  the  Committee  on  Lectures. 


CINCINNATI,  Dec.  22,  1877. 

LADIES — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  re- 
ceipt of  your  letter  of  17th  inst. 

I  accept  your  polite  invitation  to  deliver  the  lecture 
referred  to  as  the  "  2d  Lecture  "  in  the  proceedings  of 
the  Women's  Art  Museum  Association.  I  think  I 
could  be  ready  with  this  lecture  during  the  month  of 
February,  but  I  would  prefer  not  to  fix  upon  a  date, 
just  at  present. 

I  appreciate  the  difficulties  attending  the  treatment 
of  the  subjects  you  have  chosen,  and  the  high  com- 
pliment you  pay  me  by  selecting  me  to  present  them 
to  your  Association. 

Respectfully  yours, 

GEO.  WARD  NICHOLS. 

MRS.  AARON  F.  PERRY, 

MRS.  W.  P.  HULBERT, 

Miss  LAURA  VALLETTE, 

Miss  E.  H.  APPLETON. 

Committee. 


238  MT.  AUBURN,  CINCINNATI,  Dec.  26, 1877. 
Col.  Geo.  Ward  Nichols  : 

DEAR  SIR — Your  note  of  22d  irist.,  accepting  the 
invitation  of  the  committee  from  the  W.  A.  M.  A.  to 


OF   CINCINNATI.  43 

deliver  one  of  the  lectures  in  -the  course  proposed  by 
them,  is  received. 

We  are  conscious  of  the  difficulties  attending  the 
the  treatment  of  the  subjects  chosen  by  us.  and  are 
aware  that  but  few  gentlemen  among  us  are  prepared 
to  present  this  interesting  phase  of  advanced  educa- 
tion. In  receiving  your  acceptance  we  congratulate 
ourselves  upon  having  placed  the  matter  in  the  best 
hands  possible.  .  .  . 

It  is  the  intention  to  spare  no  pains  to  attract  public 
attention  to  these  lectures.  It  is  no  part  of  the  plan 
to  appeal  to  the  public  for  money,  but  to  interest  all 
classes  of  the  community — the  industrial  class*  as  much 
as  any  other — in  the  subjects  treated  of,  and  also  to 
make  practical  application  of  them  to  the  Art  Museum 
project. 

On  behalf  of  the  Committee  on  Lectures, 

I  am,  very  respectfully  yours, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY. 

In  reply  to  Mr.  Chas.  P.  Taft's  note  of  acceptance, 
the  following  letter  was  written: 

O 

238  MT.  AUBURN,  CINCINNATI,  Jan.  29,  78. 
Hon.  Chas.  P.  Toft: 

DEAR  FRIEND — I  am  glad  to  acknowledge  your  note 
of  acceptance,  just  received.  The  Committee  of  Ar- 
rangements will  secure  the  hall  for  the  third  lecture 


*  I  should  say  more  than  any  other,  for  when  our  manufactur- 
ers understand  the  commercial  value  of  the  application  of  artis- 
tic principles  to  their  products,  they  will  be  the  first  to  clamor  for 
technical  education,  Schools  of  Design,  and  Art  Museums. 


44  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

for  March  25,  the  last  Monday  of  the  month.  .  .  . 
Before  closing,  let  me  say  a  word  on  the  general  sub- 
ject of  this  third  lecture. 

It  is  hard  to  disabuse  the  public  mind  of  the  notion 
that  the  intended  Art  Museum  is  to  be  simply  a  gal- 
lery of  sculpture  and  painting.  Of  course,  the  appli- 
cation of  art  to  the  industries,  is  fine  art  modified,  and 
applied  to  the  common  things  of  life — and  a  museum 
of  the  masterpieces  of  industrial  art  would  not  be 
complete  without  presenting  also  copies,  (or  originals) 
of  the  masterpieces  of  art  in  sculpture  and  painting, 
from  which  the  artist  and  workman  have  in  all  ages 
drawn  their  inspiration  ;  but  a  leading  and  controlling 
idea  with  the  ladies  most  interested  in  this  movement, 
is  the  industrial  feature  of  it :  to  improve  the  general 
standard  of  taste  among  us  ;  to  provide  facilities  for 
the  improvement  of  the  industries  of  the  country,  by 
showing  specimens  of  the  best  work  done  by  trained 
workmen,  and  by  the  establishment  of  technical 
schools  in  connection  with  the  Museum,  which  shall 
educate  in  the  practice  of  design,  decoration,  and 
other  arts  and  specialties,  every  one  who  chooses  to 
be  so  educated — your  grandchildren,  and  mine,  among 
them,  I  hope. 

I  meant  to  write  you  a  note  acknowledging  your 
acceptance.  Pardon  my  long  letter. 

Very  sincerely,  your  friend, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY, 
Of  the  Committee  on  Lectures. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  45 

238  MT.  AUBURN,  March  1,  '78. 
Hon.  Chas.  P.  Taft: 

DEAR  FRIEND — Since  our  little  talk  Sunday  evening, 
on  the  subject  of  your  lecture,  one  idea  suggested  by 
you  has  struck  me  as  more  important  in  its  bearings 
than  at  the  time  appeared. 

I  allude  to  your  idea  that  a  temporary  place  might 
be  provided  for  a  collection  without  waiting  to  raise 
money  for  a  permanent  building. 

This  may  be  true,  but  it  was  not  a  part  of  the  plan  in 
this  course  of  lectures  to  go  so  far  as  to  suggest  any 
course,  but  simply  to  engage  public  attention  and  in- 
terest in  the  enterprise,  leaving  such  questions  to  be 
decided  at  some  future  time. 

So  far  as  I  know  the  sentiments  of  the  ladies  and 
gentlemen  who  have  for  some  time  been  interested  in 
the  project  of  an  Art  Museum  here,  they  would  not 
favor  the  plan  of  a  temporary  building;  they  have 
already — the  gentlemen  have — secured  a  considerable 
subscription  toward  a  building  fund,  and  expect  to 
renew  their  efforts  in  that  direction  in  a  short  time. 
The  lectures  and  the  projected  Loan  Exhibition  are 
brought  in  as  aids,  to  increase  attention  and  interest. 
A  building  of  a  permanent,  fire-proof  character  being 
assured,  it  is  thought  all  the  rest  will  be  easy  of  ac- 
accomplishment. 

I  am  not  sure  that  you  expressed  an  intention  of 
advocating  this  course  in  your  lecture;  but,  in  order 
that  there  should  be  no  misunderstanding  on  the  sub- 
ject, it  seems  to  me  proper  to  say  that  it  was  not  a 
part  of  the  idea  to  have  tbis  point  discussed  in  the 
lectures. 

I  remember  your  inquiry,  whether  you  were  "  at 


46  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

liberty"  in  your  lecture — to  which  I  replied  "yes" — 
as  the  particular  mode  of  treating  the  topics  pre- 
scribed was,  of  course,  left  to  your  judgment.  On 
thinking  over  the  conversation,  it  has  seemed  to  me 
possible  there  was  room  for  a  misunderstanding — 
hence  this  note  of  explanation. 

Very  sincerely,  your  friend, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY, 
Of  the  Committee  on  Lectures. 

The  lectures  were  given  at  Pike's  Opera  House,  at 
that  time  the  largest  public  hall  in  the  city.  They 
were  extensively  advertised  ;  printed  circulars  of  in- 
vitation were  widely  distributed,  and  a  number  of 
prominent  citizens,  in  addition  to  the  committee  of 
gentlemen  already  connected  with  the  museum  move- 
ment, were  invited  to  occupy  seats  on  the  stage. 

The  lectures  were  prepared  by  the  gentlemen  who 
had  been  asked  to  give  them,  with  great  interest  and 
care,  and  fully  justified  the  expectation  of  the  ladies, 
and  of  the  large  audiences  who  filled  the  house. 

In  reply  to  a  request  to  consent  to  the  publication 
of  Mr.  Maxwell's  lecture  in  pamphlet  form,  the  fol- 
lowing response  was  made : 

Cincinnati,  March  16,  1878. 
Col.  SIDNEY  D.  MAXWELL, 

Sup't  of  the  Cincinnati  Chamber  of  Commerce  : 
DEAR  SIR — A  desire  has  been  extensively  expressed, 
by  business  men  and  others,  that  your  lecture  con- 
cerning the  condition  and  prospects  of  the  manufac- 
turing interests  of  Cincinnati,  should  be  published  for 
general  circulation. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  47 

To  this  end,  the  Association  has  received  assurance 
of  indemnity  against  the  expense,  and  is  at  liberty  to 
request,  and  respectfully  requests,  a  copy  for  publi- 
cation. 

The  means  of  the  Association  are  such  as  to  enable 
it  to  offer  a  course  of  free  lectures,  but  not  to  incur 
the  expense  of  publishing  the  lectures  for  circulation. 
It  is  a  pleasing  embarrassment  to  the  Association  to 
find  the  first  lecture  delivered  under  its  auspices  so 
much  iii  demand,  and  a  gratifying  circumstance  to  be 
able  to  meet  the  demand  without  overstepping  the 
line  of  prudence  which  it  has  marked  out  for  itself. 

EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE, 
Women's  Art  Museum  Association  of  Cincinnati. 

Pretty  full  reports  of  the  second  and  third  lectures 
were  given  in  the  newspapers  of  the  day.  Col.  Nich- 
ols was  asked  to  furnish  his  able  and  very  interesting 
paper  for  publication  in  full ;  but,  for  some  reason, 
failed  to  fulfill  his  promise  to  do  so.  The  lecture  of 
Mr.  Chas.  P.  Taft — containing  a  valuable  and  detailed 
statement  of  the  origin  and  successful  working  of  the 
South  Kensington  Museum — was  given  to  the  public 
in  pamphlet  form. 

Among  the  numerous  newspaper  articles  that  ap- 
peared at  this  time,  in  reference  to  the  work  of  the 
Association,  the  following  extracts  are  from  the  pen 
of  Mrs.  John  T.  Perry,  one  of  its  active  members  : 

.  .  .  "  Much  has  been  said  and  written  on  these 
subjects,  and  great  progress  has  already  been  made  in 
our  manufactures.  We  can  also  see  what  the  intro- 
duction of  teaching  in  drawing  in  our  public  schools, 


48  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

and  the  advanced  instruction  in  the  School  of  Design, 
have  done  for  our  young  men  and  women.  But  we 
want  more  than  this — we  want  a  museum,  where 
specimens  of  artistic  work  of  every  kind  can  be 
studied  and  copied,  where  the  eye  can  be  educated  af- 
ter the  hand  has  been  trained. 

"  A  designer  for  furniture,  iron-work,  pottery,  paper 
hangings,  etc.,  is  not  called  upon  to  originate.  That 
is  the  work  of  an  artist — and  an  artist  is  not  an  every 
day  product.  But  he  is  called  upon  to  combine  with 
judgment  and  with  'taste,  and  to  do  this  he  must  have 
models  before  him.  Now,  unless  we  have  museums 
of  our  own,  where  original  specimens  or  accurate 
copies  of  the  work  of  the  masters  of  painting,  sculp- 
ture, wood-carving,  and  decorated  art  are  constantly 
before  the  eyes  of  our  higher  workmen,  we  shall  have 
only  imitations  of  the  work  of  other  countries — ser- 
vile imitations — for  no  designer  will  have  the  courage 
to  deviate  from  his  pattern.  The  makers  of  beautiful 
designs  for  manufactures  are  somewhere :  why  not  in 
America,  as  well  as  in  Europe  ?  Why  not  here,  as 
well  as  in  any  other  part  of  America  ? 

"In  our  school  declamations, it  is  the  fashion  to  say 
that  we  Americans  are  the  foremost  heirs  of  time. 
Let  us  take  up  our  inheritance,  and  use  it  in  small 
things  as  well  as  in  great.  The  accumulated  art  cul- 
ture of  all  Europe  can  be  brought  to  us  for  our  in- 
struction by  means  of  models,  casts,  engravings,  pho- 
tographs, careful  descriptions,  and  criticisms  by  learned 
students,  if  we  will  stretch  out  our  hands  and  take 
them.  Every  one  who  has  walked  through  the  South 
Kensington  Museum,  knows  how  easy  it  is  to  trans- 
port himself  into  any  country,  and  to  stand  before  any 


OF   CINCINNATI.  49 

work  of  art.  The  English  workman  need  not  go  to 
Naples  to  study  the  Pompeian  halls,  nor  to  Nuremberg 
to  copy  the  iron  walls  of  St.  Sebald's  shrine.  Any 
thing  he  needs  is  brought  before  him  by  means  of  ac- 
curate models  or  copies.  Such  a  museum,  in  kind  if 
not  in  degree,  is  possible  with  us;  and  it  is  to  awaken 
a  belief  in  that  possibility,  that  these  lectures  are  to 
be  given." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Association,  held  March  4, 
1878,  a  letter  was  read  from  Mrs.  Edward  F.  Noyes — 
who,  though  far  removed,  had  lost  no  interest  in  the 
work  she  had  helped  to  inaugurate.  The  letter  was 
recommended  for  publication,  and  appeared  in  the  Ga- 
zette of  March  5,  as  follows : 

45  Avenue  Josephine,  Paris,  Feb.  14,  1878. 
My  Dear  Mrs.  PERRY  : 

Mr.  P.  Cunliffe  Owen,  well  known  to  us  all  through 
his  connection  with  the  South  Kensington  Museum,  is 
now  in  Paris,  where  he  will  remain  a  year  in  charge 
of  the  English  department  of  the  Exposition.  He 
lives  quite  near  us,  and  came  in  to  spend  an  evening 
very  recently,  when,  of  course,  the  subject  of  the  Mu- 
seum at  South  Kensington  was  introduced — and,  after 
a  little  conversation,  I  told  him  of  the  work  which 
the  Cincinnati  ladies  were  hoping  to  do,  inspired  by 
the  example  and  success  of  his  labors  in  England.  He 
expressed  his  satisfaction  and  his  readiness  to  help 
any  enterprise  which  looked  toward  the  establishment 
of  a  museum,  particularly  in  Cincinnati,  the  home  of 
his  dear  friend  Mr.  Goshorn ;  and  he  told  me,  in  the 
most  cordial  way,  to  say  to  the  ladies,  that  he  hoped 


50  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

they  would  persevere,  and  that  success  would  be  cer- 
tain. He  then  added  that,  in  the  coming  exhibition, 
he  should  have  unusual  facilities  for  procuring  works 
of  art,  particularly  such  as  would  be  valuable  in 
schools  for  the  promotion  of  art  industries,  and  that, 
if  the  ladies  of  Cincinnati  wished  to  procure  any 
thing  of  the  kind,  it  would  be  a  great  pleasure  to 
him  to  give  his  personal  attention  to  selecting  any 
thing  they  might  desire ;  and  that  he  would  engage  to 
procure  these  things  at  half  price.  He  said  it  would 
be  necessary  to  be  very  prompt,  as  those  who  were 
looking  for  such  articles  take  advantage  of  the  first 
few  days  after  the  opening  to  make  selections. 

I  said  I  was  afraid  the  ladies  of  Cincinnati  were  not 
prepared  to  make  purchases,  as  no  building  had  yet 
been  erected. 

He  replied  by  saying,  that  a  building  was  the  least 
essential  thing  connected  with  such  an  enterprise : 
that,  if  a  collection  was  once  made,  and  schools  estab- 
lished, the  necessity  for  a  building  would  be  so  evi- 
dent, that  it  would  almost  go  up  of  itself;  that  the 
coming  Exposition  would  offer  unusual  advantages 
for  securing  the  necessary  articles,  and  that  it  might 
be  several  years  before  such  an  opportunity  would 
again  present  itself. 

I  am  sure  there  could  be  no  one  in  whose  judgment 
the  ladies  of  Cincinnati  would  place  greater  confi- 
dence, or  who  could  have  greater  facilities  for  making 
selections.  He  himself  has  charge  of  every  thing 
English,  his  son  is  commissioner  from  Japan,  and  he 
is  intimately  acquainted  with  the  Swedish,  Danish, 
and  other  commissioners,  who  were  also  in  charge  at 
Philadelphia. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  51 

I  know  the  times  are  hard,  and  that  it  may  not  be 
possible  to  raise  any  money  for  this  purpose,  but  are 
there  not  a  few  public  spirited  gentlemen  in  Cincin- 
nati who  will  authorize  the  purchase  of  a  little  collec- 
tion— so  that  the  opportunity  may  not  be  lost — and 
let  us  work  to  pay  for  it  afterward? 

I  am  sorry  I  can  not  work  with  you  at  home ;  but, 
if  I  can  do  any  thing  at  this  end  of  the  line,  you  can 
rest  assured  that  I  shall  not  leave  it  undone.  I  very 
much  hope  it  may  be  possible  to  give  Mr.  Owen  an 
opportunity  to  help  a  good  cause;  and  that  Cincin- 
nati may  secure  some  of  the  choice  things  of  the  ex- 
hibition. 

Wishing  you  all  possible  success,  and  hoping  to  see 
all  the  members  of  the  Association  during  the  coming 
summer,  I  am  yours  sincerely, 

MARGARET  P.  NOTES. 

This  proposition  presented  an  opportunity  which 
was,  indeed,  too  good  to  be  lost;  but  the  time  had  not 
yet  come  for  making  purchases,  and  we  could  only 
regret  our  inability  to  take  advantage  of  it. 


52  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 


While  arrangements  for  the  course  of  lectures  were 
in  progress,  the  Association  was  maturing  plans  for  a 
temporary  Loan  Exhibition,  to  be  given  in  the  month 
of  May.  At  a  meeting  held  January  14,  1878,  a  com- 
mittee— Mrs.  Charles  Dexter,  Mrs.  John  Davis,  and 
Mrs.  M.  F.  Force — was  authorized  to  obtain  informa- 
tion in  regard  to  a  suitable  place  for  holding  the  ex- 
hibition. 

At  a  meeting  held  February  4,  1878,  the  committee 
reported  that  Mr.  John  Cochnower  had  generously 
placed  his  spacious  house  at  the  disposal  of  the  ladies. 

As  early  as  the  first  of  March,  the  matter  was  thus 
advertised  in  the  daily  papers  : 

"  The  4  Women's  Art  Museum  Association '  has  de- 
termined to  open  a  Loan  Exhibition  of  articles  of 
artistic  value  during  the  month  of  May,  1878,  at  No. 
166  W.  Seventh  street.  The  members  of  the  Association 
rely  confidently  on  the  liberality  of  our  citizens  to 
make  this  exhibition  an  honor  to  the  city,  and  an  ad- 
ditional attraction  to  strangers. 

"  The  articles  to  be  exhibited  will  consist  of  Bronzes, 
Mosaics,  Ancient  Armor,  Carved  Ivories,  Gold,  Silver 
and  Brass  Work,  Electrotype  Reproductions,  Enam- 
eled Metal  and  Porcelain,  Antique  Furniture,  Antique 
and  Artistic  Jewelry,  Artistic  Embroideries,  Antique 
and  Modern  Pottery  and  Porcelain,  Pictures,  Engrav- 
ings, Statuary,  Glass.  Lace,  Tapestry,  Textile  Fabrics, 
Antique  Fans,  Lacquer,  Wood  Carvings,  etc. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  53 

"Every  one  willing  to  contribute  to  the  collection  is 
requested  to  send  name  and  residence  to  the  chairman 
of  the  Committee  of  Selection,  Mrs.  A.  S.  Winslow, 
south-east  corner  Fourth  and  Broadway.  This  com- 
mittee will  wait  upon  each  contributor,  and  make  a 
list  and  description  of  the  articles  to  be  loaned.  The 
objects  loaned  will  be  insured  at  the  valuation  of  the 
owner,  and  every  care  taken  to  avoid  injury. 

"  E.  H.  APPLETON,  Secretary." 

The  Committee  of  Selection  were  Mrs.  A.  S.  Wins- 
low,  Mrs.  Theodore  Stanwood,  Mrs.  Frederick  G. 
Huntington,  Mrs.  Lewis  M.  Dayton,  and  Miss  Florence 
Carlisle. 

Committee  of  Arrangements,  for  receiving  and  ar- 
ranging articles  loaned  :  Mrs.  M.  F.  Force,  Mrs.  Wm. 
T.  Williamson,  Mrs.  Wm.  Dodd,  Miss  Vallette,  Miss 
Neave,  who  were  authorized  to  invite  the  assistance 
of  gentlemen  friends,  if  they  should  wish  to  do  so. 

They  were  also  empowered  to  incur  such  expense 
and  make  such  preparations  as  shall  seem  to  them 
necessary  for  the  success  of  the  Loan  Exhibition. 

Committee  on  Procuring  Cases  and  Gas-burners  : 
Mrs.  Dr.  Kust  and  Mrs.  A.  J.  Howe. 

Committee  on  Music:  Mrs.  James  McKeehan,Mrs. 
Wm.  Dominick. 

The  difficulties  of  giving  a  detailed  statement  of 
the  Loan  Exhibition,  including  an  account  of  the  re- 
sponsibilities incurred  by  the  large  number  of  mem- 
bers of  the  Association  in  the  intelligent  direction  and 
arrangement  of  the  different  sections  and  departments 
is  so  great,  that  it  is  thought  unwise  to  attempt  to  go 


54  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

beyond  the  reports  of  the  general  committees,  and 
selections  from  the  numerous  newspaper  notices. 

While  but  little  effort  was  made  to  go  beyond  show- 
ing what  could  be  procured  at  home  and  in  the 
suburbs  for  the  Loan  Exhibition,  yet  the  ladies  would 
have  been  glad,  at  any  reasonable  expense,  to  enrich  it 
from  outside,  if  it  had  been  found  practicable.  The 
follow-note  shows  an  effort  in  that  direction  : 

238  MT.  AUBURN,  CINCINNATI,  Jan.  26,  1878. 
Mr.  John  Taylor  Johnston,  President  Metropolitan  Mu- 
seum of  Art,  New  York  : 

DEAR  SIR — I  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  some 
inquiries  to  you  on  behalf  of  the  "  Women's  Art 
Museum  Association  "  of  this  city. 

The  object  of  this  organization,  as  its  name  would 
imply,  is  the  establishment  of  an  Art  Museum,  and 
schools  for  technical  training.  With  a  view  to  ex- 
tending an  interest  in  the  general  subject,  the  ladies 
propose  to  open  a  temporary  loan  collection — to  be 
continued  some  weeks,  say  a  month — and  have  for 
this  purpose  secured  a  large,  unoccupied  private  resi- 
dence in  one  of  the  best  neighborhoods  of  the  city. 

I  do  not  know  that  we  are  yet  far  enough  ad- 
vanced in  this  country  to  have  put  in  practice  the 
English  custom  of  traveling  collections;  but  the  subject 
of  my  note  is  to  inquire  whether  such  things  are  prac- 
ticable, and,  if  so,  whether  we  may  be  able  to  take 
advantage  of  it.  The  Castellani  Collection  is,  I  be- 
lieve, in  the  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  New  York. 
I  am  not  informed  whether  it  has  been  bought  by 
that  Museum,  or  simply  placed  there  awaiting  a  pur- 
chaser. In  either  case,  could  any  part  of  it,  or,  the 


OF   CINCINNATI.  55 

whole,  be  loaned  to  us  for  our  purposes,  and,  if  so, 
on  what  terms?  In  reference  to  the  Cesnola  Col- 
lection, I  make  the  same  inquiry. 

May  I  trouble  you,  at  your  convenience,  to  give  me 
some  information  ? 

Your  name  has  been  given  me  as  that  of  the  proper 
person  to  be  addressed  on  this  subject.  If  I  have  been 
misinformed — or  in  any  event — my  assumption  of 
your  interest  in  the  matter  will,  I  hope,  excuse  the 
liberty  I  have  taken. 

Yery  respectfully  yours, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY,  President. 


YORK,  Feb.  ^  1878. 
Mrs.  Aaron  F.  Perry : 

DEAR  MADAM — Your  favor  of  January  26th  is  re- 
ceived. The  English  custom  of  "  traveling  collections" 
to  which  you  refer  has  been  adopted  by  this  Museum 
as  a  part  of  their  future  programme,  but  they  are  not 
yet  prepared  to  carry  out  the  plan.  When  we  are  es- 
tablished in  our  new  building  in  Central  Park,  and 
our  collections  have  been  thoroughly  arranged,  we 
will  then  be  prepared  to  look  thoroughly  into  the 
matter  with  a  view  of  putting  it  into  operation. 

The  Castellani  Collection  is  being  packed  for  its 
return  to  Europe,  and  is,  therefore,  unavailable.  The 
Cesnola  Collection  is  also  unavailable  for  the  reasons 
given  above.  Hoping  that  you  may  have  a  successful 
exhibition,  I  remain, 

Yours  very  respectfully, 

JOHN  TAYLOR  JOHNSTON, 

President  Metropolitan  Museum  of  Art,  New  York. 


56  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

At  the  annual  meeting  held  June  17,  1878,  the  in- 
teresting report  of  the  committee  of  arrangements 
for  the  Loan  Exhibition  was  read,  as  follows : 

"  The  loan  collection  was  opened  to  the  public  on 
the  evening  of  May  6th,  in  the  handsome  mansion 
'No.  166  West  Seventh  street,  loaned  for  the  purpose 
by  Mr.  John  Cochnower.  Your  committee,  with  the 
intelligent  and  valuable  assistance  of  the  members  of 
the  committee  of  selection,  who  had  performed  their 
own  labors  so  satisfactorily  (that  of  many  of  the  As- 
sociation, and  an  efficient  committee  of  gentlemen), 
were  able,  after  three  weeks  preparation,  to  give  the 
public  the  benefit  of  the  treasures  collected  by  the 
cultivated  and  generous  citizens  of  Cincinnati  and  its 
neighborhood.  The  display  of  artistic,  rare,  and  beau- 
tiful articles,  was  a  surprise  and  delight  to  all  who 
saw  it,  and  has  given  to  the  people  of  Cincinnati  the 
credit  for  taste  and  culture  which  they  richly  deserve. 
A  corps  of  ten  assistants  was  employed  by  your  com- 
mittee in  the  care  of  the  house  and  contents,  and  to 
take  and  sell  tickets  arid  catalogues.  A  number  of 
self-sacrificing  ladies  attended  every  day  as  custodi- 
ans, and  were  instrumental  in  protecting  the  articles 
from  injury. 

"  The  exhibition  was  kept  open  a  week  longer  than 
was  at  first  contemplated  owing  to  urgent  solicita- 
tion, and  many  were  the  regrets  expressed  at  lost  op- 
portunities when  the  closing  evening,  June  8th  ar- 
rived. 

"  The  attendance  during  the  six  weeks  was  over 
13,000.  The  number  during  the  week  of  the  Musical 
Festival  was  over  4000. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  57 

"  The  difficult  task  of  restoring  the  articles  to  their 
owners  was  accomplished  with  safety.  Nothing  was 
missing;  and,  with  one  or  two  exceptions,  nothing 
was  injured. 

"  If  the  sum  of  money  added  to  the  treasury  by  the 
exhibition  is  not  so  great  as  many  hoped,  there  is  the 
consolation  that  the  great  object,  the  awakening  a  de- 
sire in  the  public  for  a  permanent  museum,  has  been 
accomplished. 

"  Your  committee,  having  finished  their  duties,  re- 
quest to  be  discharged.  FRANCES  H.  FORCE." 

Chairman. 

Treasurer's  Report. 

Mrs.  H.  C.  Whitman,  treasurer,  read  a  report  cov- 
ering the  time  since  the  funds  were  placed  in  her 
hands  on  the  departure  of  Mrs.  Noyes.  The  total  re- 
ceipts were  $5,482  75.  Of  this  sum  $787  72  came 
from  the  former  treasurer;  $530  in  cash  subscriptions 
from  the  members;  $4,124  28  from  the  sales  of  tickets 
and  catalogues.  The  disbursements  up  to  yesterday 
forenoon  aggregated  $3,330  98 — leaving  a  balance  in 
the  treasury  of  $2,151  77.  The  net  profits  of  the  Loan 
Exhibition  were  $1,077  90. 

Report  of  Publishing  Committee. 

Mrs.  John  T.  Perry,  chairman  of  committee  on  pub- 
lications, read  a  report  reviewing  the  work  of  the  com- 
mittee during  the  year.  It  was  chiefly  devoted  to  a 
recapitulation  of  expenditures  for  advertising  and 
printing.  Of  one  branch  of  the  committee's  Jabor  the 
report  said :  "  The  special  duty  of  the  committee  has 
been  to  keep  the  work  of  the  Association  before  the 


58 

public,  and  to  awaken  an  interest  in  its  objects,  partic- 
ularly through  the  newspapers  of  the  city.  This  has 
been  rather  an  indefinite  work;  and,  in  the  nature  of 
the  case,  each  member  has  been  obliged  to  act  a  good 
deal  on  her  own  responsibility.  We  can  not,  at  this 
time,  detail  the  results  of  this  work,  as  it  is  so  frag- 
mentary; but  we  may  say  that,  in  one  journal,  the 
Gazette,  there  has  been  published  eighteen  columns 
of  reading  matter  bearing  on  the  subject — and,  we 
presume,  other  journals  have  given  an  equal  amount 
of  space  to  our  use." 

After  the  adoption  of  the  reports,  the  trustees  gave 
a  brief  summary  of  the  year's  work,  from  which  the 
following  is  taken  :  "  In  closing  our  work  for  the  sum- 
mer, it  is  pleasant  to  feel  that  there  are  signs  of  in- 
creasing public  interest,  and  that  we  have  done  what 
we  could  to  further  it. 

"  In  separating  for  the  hot  months  we  may  properly 
leave  the  subject  where  it  is,  in  the  expectation  that 
the  logic  of  events  will  suggest  the  future  course  of 
the  Association." 

The  concluding  business  of  the  meeting  being  the 
election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year,  the  president 
said:  "Before  vacating  the  chair,  I  wish  to  speak  of 
the  house  committee,  the  committees  of  selection  and 
arrangement  for  the  Loan  Exhibition,  including  the 
ladies  who  assisted  them  and  shared  in  the  fatigues  of 
preparing  and  conducting  the  exhibition,  and  also  of 
the  committee  on  publication. 

"  Whatever  cause  for  congratulation  we  have,  is  due 
to  the  devotion  of  these  ladies,  who  have  borne  the 


OF   CINCINNATI.  59 

responsibilities  of  the  work,  and  to  their   excellent 
judgment,  management,  and  economy." 

The  election  resulted  as  follows :  * 

Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY,  President. 

Vice  Presidents. 

Mrs.  M.  F.  FORCE,  Mrs.  A.  D.  BULLOCK, 

"    JOHN  SHILLITO,  "    A.  S.  WINSLOW, 

"    GEORGE  CARLISLE,  "    WM.  DODD. 

Mrs.  H.  C.  WHITMAN,  Treasurer. 
Miss  ELIZABETH  H.  APPLETON,  Eec.  Secretary. 
"    JANE  C.  NEAVE,  Corresponding  Sec'y. 

Among  the  newspaper  notices  of  the  Loan  Exhibi- 
tion, a  few  are  selected  for  insertion  : 

From  one  of  the  New  York  papers,  the  name  of 
which  has  been  lost,  the  following  is  given  : 

"Boston,-  New  York,  and  the  other  cities 'of  the 
East,  will  have  to  look  to  their  laurels.  The  nine 
Muses  appear  to  be  going  west,  and  Clio  and  Euterpe 
are  hovering  over  Cincinnati,  if  they  have  not  already 
settled  in  it.  How  else  are  we  to  account  for  its  new 
music  hall,  the  largest  arid  finest  of  its  class  in  the 
country;  and  its  grand  organ,  one  of  the  largest  and 
best  in  the  world ;  and  its  recent  noble  dedicatory  fes- 
tival, most  successfully  musical  of  any  yet  given  in 
America  ;  and  its  art  schools  and  institutes,  already 
an  example  to  us  all  ;  and  its  present  magnificent 
Loan  Collection  of  potteries,  paintings,  jewels,  carv- 
ings, manuscripts,  and  other  treasures.  It  really  looks 

*  Mrs.  John  Davis  declining  re-election  as  first  vice-president. 


60  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

as  if  Cincinnati  were,  perhaps,  destined  to  be  the  art 
city  of  the  continent. 

"  The  mere  catalogue  of  the  Loan  Collection,  an  ex- 
hibition for  the  benefit  of  the  Women's  Art  Museum 
Association,  is  a  pamphlet  of  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
six  pages.  The  contributions  are  drawn  exclusively 
from  the  homes  of  the  city  and  the  suburbs,  and  com- 
prise some  two  thousand  different  objects.  The  rep- 
resentation of  the  historic  potteries  is  very  rich,  there 
is  a  great  variety  of  choice  glassware,  with  many  rare 
embroideries  and  laces,  carvings  in  wood  and  ivory, 
old  armor,  tapestries,  antique  furniture,  silver  plate, 
etc.  A  very  interesting  department  of  the  collection 
is  that  of  Manuscripts  and  early  Early  Printed  Books 
from  the  private  library  of  Robert  Clarke,  Esq.,  among 
which  are  specimens  of  English,  French,  German, 
Dutch,  Italian,  and  Persian  work  of  the  fifteenth  and 
sixteenth  centuries,  many  of  them  beautifully  illumi- 
nated. There  is  a  copy  of  "  Our  Weekly  Newes,"  the 
first  English  newspaper,  dated  1623 ;  and  also  of 
"Mercurius  Publicus,"  another  English  journal  of 
1660." 

From  the  Springfield,  Mass.,  Republican: 
"It  will  soon  be  time  for  Springfield  to  form  its 
4  Society  of  Decorative  Art,'  and  begin  to  lay  the  foun- 
dations of  a  local  Art  Museum.  The  movement  in 
that  direction  in  the  larger  cities  of  the  United  States 
has  become  somewhat  wonderful,  and  the  amount  of 
interest  and  talent  thereby  developed  is  surprising. 
Boston  has  an  Art  Museum  ;  so  has  New  York.  Cin- 
cinnati aspires  to  one,  and  has  taken  a  long  step 
toward  it.  Why,  then,  should  not  Springfield  make 


OF   CINCINNATI.  61 

the  effort  ?  We  have  as  many  citizens,  and  we  soon 
hope  to  have  once  more  as  much  wealth,  as  Boston 
had  when  she  founded  the  Athenaeum,  out  of  which, 
in  good  time,  budded  and  sprouted  the  New  Art  Mu- 
seum. Let  us  make  a  beginning  and  see  what  will 
come  of  it.  Cincinnati  shall  encourage  us,  for  that 
city  really  has  done  something  remarkable.  Soon 
after  the  Centennial  Exhibition  at  Philadelphia,  in 
which  Cincinnati  took  a  lively  interest  through  Mr. 
Goshorn,  Col.  Nichols,  and  a  whole  legion  of  cultivated 
ladies  with  an  inclination  for  art — the  women  of  Cin- 
cinnati resolved  that  they,  too,  would  have  an  Art 
Museum.  They  formed,  therefore,  a  <  Women's  Art 
Museum  Association,'  with  Mrs.  Aaron  F.  Perry  for 
its  President,  and  they  set  to  work  to  see  what  mate- 
rials they  had  for  an  exhibition  of  decorative  art. 
Cincinnati  has  been  much  given  to  industrial  exhibi- 
tions, and  was  known  to  abound  in  paintings,  but 
when  the  new  Association  began  to  gather  up  its  ma- 
terial for  the  Loan  Exhibition  which  has  been  one  of 
the  attractions  of  Cincinnati  for  the  last  month,  every 
body  was  surprised  at  the  richness  of  the  bonanza. 
Pottery  and  laces,  wood-carving  and  painted  china, 
old  manuscripts  and  Pompeian  discoveries  came  pour- 
ing in  from  all  directions,  until  one  of  the  fine  dwell- 
ing-houses of  the  city — lent  for  the  occasion  as  if  it 
had  been  no  more  than  a  fire  screen — was  filled  to 
overflowing  with  the  material  for  exhibition.  This 
was  early  in  May.  Then  came  the  ambition  to  cata- 
logue the  articles,  and  open  the  display  before  the 
great  Musical  Festival  should  begin,  with  its  thou- 
sands of*  visitors  from  all  parts  of  the  country.  Mrs. 
Perry  and  her  auxiliaries  hastened  to  the  work,  and 


62  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

in  four  days  had  prepared  and  printed  a  catalogue  of 
more  than  two  thousand  articles,  which  not  only  told 
the  Bostonian  with  his  eye-glass,  and  the  wild  Ken- 
tucky ranger  what  they  were,  but  actually  gave  them, 
in  the  convenient  and  pretty  little  pamphlet,  a  history 
of  each  branch  of  household  art,  and  a  recipe  for 
making  enamel  and  Japanese  lacquer  !  It  was  a  tri- 
umph of  feminine  energy,  and  Cincinnati  culture;  it 
deserved  success,  and  won  it. 

"  The  musical  critics  came  and  saw,  and  wondered ; 
the  sages  of  social  science  came  next,  and  viewed  the 
Loan  Exhibition  with  eyes  and  hands  uplifted.  Mrs. 
Dall  gazed  and  praised,  and  Prof.  Pierce  conveyed  the 
approval  of  Cambridge. 

"What  Cincinnati  did,  most  of  our  eastern  cities 
can  do — not  so  rapidly  nor  so  well  perhaps,  but  well 
enough  and  fast  enough.  Why  should  not  Springfield 
and  Worcester,  Hartford  and  Providence,  and  New 
Haven  try  the  experiment?" 

The  July  number,  1878,  of  Industrial  Art,  a  Monthly 
Review  of  Technical  and  Scientific  Education  at  Home 
and  Abroad,  published  in  London,  England,  contains 
an  interesting  article  on  the  Cincinnati  Loan  Collec- 
tion, from  which  the  following  extracts  are  taken  : 

"The  Loan  Exhibition  of  Cincinnati,  1878.— The 
tendency  of  the  age  to  promote  genuine  apprecia- 
tion of  art  knowledge  can  have  no  finer  illustration 
than  that  presented  by  the  '  Women's  Art  Museum 
Association  of  America '  in  its  most  recent  display  of 
art  industry.  The  Association  has  been  most  success- 
ful since  its  formation.  .  .  .  The  committee  point 
to  the  fact  that  while  the  European  governments  fos- 


OF   CINCINNATI.  63 

ter  such  national  exhibitions  by  the  aid  of  public 
funds,  in  America,  individuals  and  communities  be- 
come the  originators,  contributors,  and  ultimate 
founders  of  such  educational  appliances  as  are  to  be 
found  in  local  permanent  museums  and  training 
schools,  and  in  the  large  loan  collections  of  the  prin- 
cipal American  cities,  the  results  of  all  these  efforts 
being  the  improved  culture  of  American  designers. 
.  .  .  The  century  of  her  national  life  America  can 
now  boast  of  having  attained  to,  finds  her  in  posses- 
sion of  riches  sufficient  to  justify  her  people  in  making 
advancement  in  the  industrial  arts  to  which,  in  her 
early  days,  she  had  neither  the  time  nor  the  inclina- 
tion to  give  attention.  .  .  . 

"  The  Loan  Collection  at  Cincinnati  is  of  such  varied 
character  that  it  proves  how  universal  is  the  taste, 
how  ample  are  the  means,  how  liberal  the  feeling  on 
the  part  of  the  owners  of  the  property  lent  for  the 
display.  .  .  . 

"A  clever  attempt  has  been  made  at  classification, 
so  far  as  classification  was  possible  in  so  varied  an 
accumulation. 

"  This  classification  applies  more  strictly  to  the 
pottery,  which  is  sufficiently  abundant  to  include 
within  it  specimens  of  every  type  of  the  art  from  the 
exhumed  Phoenician  and  Greek  pottery,  dating  back 
two  thousand  years,  down  through  the  centuries,  to 
the  most  refined  examples  which  have  their  counter- 
part in  the  Paris  Exhibition  this  year.  Iron  work  of 
the  sixteenth  century,  lace  of  the  fifteenth,  glass  from 
ancient  and  modern  Venice,  Chinese  and  Japanese 
porcelain,  lacquers  and  enamels  of  every  age,  together 
with  specimens  of  the  various  finer  industries  of  Eu- 


64  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

rope  and  Asia  for  which  certain  manufactories  have 
been  famous  for  the  last  two  centuries. 

"  The  collection  has  been  drawn,  as  we  have  said, 
exclusively  from  the  residents  of  Cincinnati  and  its 
suburbs,  no  public  collection  or  museum  having  con- 
tributed any  object  to  it.  Its  richness  and  scope  are 
a  surprise  to  those  who  have  prepared  it.  .  . 
Along  with  the  beautiful  works  of  classic  art,  the 
plainer  examples  of  a  less  ostentatious  period,  and  the 
most  exquisite  types  of  modern  manufactures,  there  is 
a  small  display  of  etchings,  designs,  models,,  and 
wood-carvings,  sent  in  by  the  pupils  of  the  local 
School  of  Design,  with  sundry  examples  of  water- 
color  drawings,  and  paintings  on  china  by  amateurs, 
which  not  only  attract  attention,  but  give  promise  of 
a  future  for  industrial  art  in  America  of  which  we  in 
Europe  have  no  conception. 

"  To  return  to  the  pottery  at  this  display,  we  find  it 
divided  into  sections  with  admirable  skill,  just  as 
many  specimens  being  selected  as  will  amply  illustrate 
each  group  ;  the  catalogue  giving  in  the  smallest  possi- 
ble space  enough  information  to  interest  the  curious, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  satisfy  the  specialist  with  the 
completeness  of  each.  Beginning  with  ancient  Grseco- 
Roman  vases  from  the  tombs  of  Etruria  and  Magna- 
Grsecia,  the  section  contains  specimens  of  vases, 
pitchers,  cups,  lachrymatories,  and  lamps,  and  some 
personal  ornaments.  These  amply  illustrate  the 
period.  The  specimens,  it  may  be  remarked,  are  con- 
tributed by  several  collectors,  showing  how  wide- 
spread is  the  taste  for  classic  records  among  our 
transatlantic  friends.  Coming  down  to  the  eighth  cen- 
tury, the  show  of  Majolica  pottery  is  very  fair.  An- 


OF   CINCINNATI.  65 

cient  Japanese  cloisonne  and  Indian  vases  of  early 
date  complete  this  elegant  section. 

"  The  Flemish  and  Roman  stoneware  is  well  repre- 
sented :  Holland,  Cologne,  Nuremberg,  Ratisbon, 
Baireuth,  and  Mansfield,  with  the  districts  of  the 
Lower  Rhine,  where  the  finest  clays  for  the  purpose 
of  the  potter's  art  are  abundant. 

"The  close  of  the  15th  century  terminates  the  best 
period  of  German  art :  the  revival  of  the  Ores  de 
Flandres  of  the  17th  century,  marks  a  period  of  its 
revival.  In  the  next  case,  the  Chinese  and  Japanese 
pottery  is  well  represented.  .  .  .  Then 
comes  ancient  and  modern  British  pottery,  including 
Celtic,  Roman,  Saxon,  and  early  Norman  pottery  ;  an 
instructive  series  of  wares  illustrating,  with  the  ma- 
terials at  the  disposal  of  the  committee,  all  the  facts 
in  the  history  of  the  art,  as  glaze,  flux,  and  decora- 
tion, even  to  recent  times,  including  Flaxman  with 
Wedgwood,  to  Miss  Barlow  with  Doulton. 

"  Then  comes  case  after  case  containing  old  Berlin, 
old  Sevres,  Hungarian,  Bohemian,  Worcester,  Swiss, 
Frankenthal,  Vienna,  Dresden,  Lowestoft,  Derby,  etc. 
Then  comes  china  of  local  or  historical  interest,  glass, 
ancient  and  modern,  and  figures,  plaques,  and  other 
artistic  objects  which  are  less  capable  of  systematic 
arrangement,  but  which  tend,  with  pictures,  statues, 
and  models,  to  give  diversity  to  the  chambers  where 
these  things  are  displayed.  It  is  possible  to  learn 
many  important  facts  from  this  rich  display,  which 
might  be  attempted  with  considerable  advantage  by 
our  own  friends  who  contemplate  undertakings  of  a 
like  kind.  Evidently,  to  begin  with,  a  private  house 
of  suitable  dimensions  is  better  than  a  public  school- 


OF  TUB 


66  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

room  or  ordinary  place  of  exhibition  ;  next,  the  com- 
mittee should  have  the  right  of  selection,  while  a 
large  number  of  contributors  insures  a  better  result 
than  when  the  specimens  are  drawn  from  the  museums 
of  one  or  two  known  collectors.  The  object  of  the 
committee  being  a  legitimate  one,  is  sure  to  command 
the  success  of  a  local  exhibition  of  works  of  art,  such, 
as  we  are  informed,  has  attended  the  admirable  efforts 
of  our  Cincinnati  friends." 

A  lengthy  and  appreciative  article — a  correspond- 
ence of  the  u  Courier  des  Etats  Unis,"  ~New  York — 
appeared  November  10,  1878,  on  the  subject  of  the 
Loan  Collection,  in  U  Art,  the  well  known  illustrated 
weekly  journal  published  in  Paris ;  but,  however 
agreeable  it  may  have  been  at  the  time  to  the  ladies 
to  find  themselves  complimented  for  the  intelligent 
aim  of  their  efforts,  and  for  the  success  attending 
them,  it  would  be  less  agreeable  now  to  take  part  in 
the  republication  of  expressions  which,  it  may  be  con- 
fessed, were  not  at  the  time  lacking  in  the  semblance 
of  favorable  omens.  The  articles  given  above  are  suf- 
ficient to  show  the  general  tone  of  comment  by  the 
press  in  reference  to  the  Loan  Exhibition. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  67 


Cincinnati,  October  27,  1878. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY, 

President  Women's  Art  Museum  Association: 

My  Dear  Madam. — It  seems  to  me  that  an  attempt 
should  now  be  made  to  raise  a  fund  to  establish  a  mu- 
seum. The  depression  of  business  is  unfortunate,  and 
other  appeals  will  interfere  with  that  for  a  museum  : 
but  great  and  general  interest  has  been  excited  by 
your  Association  through  the  lectures  at  Pike's  Opera 
House  last  winter,  the  loan  exhibition  in  the  spring, 
and  other  means;  and  this  interest  is  strong  enough, 
I  think,  to  encourage  us  to  hope  that  a  sufficient  fund 
to  start  a  museum  could  be  secured,  notwithstanding 
the  serious  objections  to  making  appeals  to  the  public 
for  money  at  this  season. 

This  opinion  is  simply  the  expression  of  my  own 
judgment,  in  which  you  and  your  associates  may  not 
concur.  You  have  all  probably  heard  more  or  less 
expression  of  willingness  by  various  persons  to  aid  the 
museum ;  and  possibly  can  better  judge  than  I  what 
response  may  be  expected  to  a  subscription  paper.  I 
have  heard  several  gentlemen  say  they  would  con- 
tribute something  to  the  enterprise,  and  I  therefore 
prepared  the  inclosed  form  of  subscription.  This 
form  includes  as  few  conditions  as  possible  for  the 
character  of  the  Museum  Association  :  its  conditions 
of  management,  and  the  appointment  of  its  directors, 


68 

should  properly  by  determined  only  be  the  subscribers. 
Beyond  fixing  a  limit  of  time  and  amount  necessary 
to  make  the  conditions  binding,  I  have  left  all  ques- 
tions for  the  decision  of  the  subscribers  themselves 
hereafter. 

I  am  authorized  to  say,  that  Mr.  Joseph  Longworth 
and  Mr. -Chas.  W.  West,  will  each  give  ten  thousand 
dollars — $10,000 — to  this  subscription.  I  will  give  the 
same  amount.*  If  this  beginning  be  encouragement 
enough  to  push  the  subscription,  and  your  Association 
will  appoint  a  committee  to  solicit  subscriptions,  I 
shall  be  pleased  to  do  whatever  is  in  my  power  to 
secure  the  necessary  fund,  and  in  any  way  to  help  the 
museum. 

I  would  suggest  that  the  committee  should  consist 
of  some  members  of  your  Association,  as  well  as  of 
men.  Very  respectfully, 

JULIUS  DEXTER. 

The  suggestion  conveyed  in  Mr.  Dexter's  letter  was 
considered  by  the  Association  ;  but  they  believed  that 
the  committee  of  gentlemen  invited  by  them  in  March, 
1877,  of  which  Mr.  Dexter  was  one,  to  draft  a  form  of 
subscription,  etc.,  formed  an  able  committee  for  solic- 
iting subscriptions,  and  they  adhered  to  their  original 

*  I  believe  it  was  understood  that  these  three  subscriptions 
were  made  on  the  conditon  that  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars  should  be  raised  within  a  year.  At  the  end  of 
the  year,  the  conditions  not  having  been  fulfilled,  the  subscrip- 
tions fell  through  for  that  time.  The  result  since  accomplished, 
however,  shows  that  a  sentiment  was  even  then  growing,  which, 
in  fullness  of  time,  would  speak  in  unmistakable  tones  of 
success. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  69 

plan  of  not  entering  the  field  as  canvassers  for  money. 
Miss  Appleton  was  authorized  to  convey  to  Mr.  Dex- 
ter the  polite  declination  of  the  Association. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  year,  the  trustees  pre- 
sented a  paper  to  the  Association  containing  some 
suggestions  for  the  future  work,  extracts  of  which  are 
here  given  : 

"In  coming  together  after  our  interval  of  rest,  we 
naturally  pause  to  look  over  what  we  have  done,  and 
to  consider  the  future. 

"  The  times  seem  to  invite  a  broad  outlook  :  the 
Paris  Exposition  recently  closed,  showed  the  civilized 
nations  contending  in  honorable  rivalry  for  supremacy 
in  works  of  use  and  beauty.  Universal  expositions 
are  not  new ;  but,  perhaps,  never  before  has  there 
been  seen  such  a  strife  for  perfection  in  the  arts  and 
industries.  The  results  of  the  contest  seem  to  indi- 
cate that  the  equilibrium  has  been  disturbed,  and  that 
something  must  be  done  to  restore  the  old  balance  of 
power. 

"  We  have  not  forgotten  the  position  in  which  Eng- 
land found  herself  at  the  great  Exposition  of  1851 — 
at  the  foot  of  the  list  of  the  great  nations  in  respect 
of  the  quality  and  beauty  of  her  industries;  a  distinc- 
tion in  which  she  was  only  eclipsed  by  the  United 
States,  which  stood  below  her.  Nor  have  we  forgot- 
ten the  liberal  policy  adopted  by  the  Government  of 
Great  Britain  in  the  establishment  of  her  great  museum, 
with  its  training  schools,  at  South  Kensington,  and 
similar  means  of  education  throughout  England. 
From  that  time  till  now,  the  work,  thus  begun,  has 
gone  bravely  on,  until,  at  the  present  day,  it  may  be 


70  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

said  that  England,  more  than  any  other  country, 
stands  at  the  head  of  the  great  nations  in  the  perfec- 
tion and  beauty  of  her  industries. 

"A  few  months  ago  a  Museum  of  Decorative  Art 
was  established  under  government  patronage,  in  Paris. 
'The  object  of  this  new  Museum,' says  Galignani's 
Messenger,  'is  to  enable  France  to  keep  pace  with 
other  countries,  as  for  instance,  with  England,  Aus- 
tria, Belgium,  and  America,  in  the  employment  of 
every  possible  means  for  the  development  and  progress 
of  art  industry.  France  has  for  a  long  time  possessed 
a  certain  supremacy  in  all  industries  to  which  art  is 
applicable,  owing  to  the  peculiar  good  taste  that  has 
characterized  the  nation ;  but  the.  Universal  Exhibi- 
tion of  1878  has  shown  that  this  supremacy  is  con- 
siderably endangered  by  foreign  competition.  It  has 
therefore  deemed  it  necessary  to  create  an  institution 
similar  to  the  South  Kensington  in  London,  and  to 
imitate  the  liberal  principles  that  have  guided  its  di- 
rection, not  only  in  the  collection  of  models  of  archi- 
tecture, sculpture,  paintings,  mosaics,  ceramics,  glass, 
clothing,  jewelry,  arms,  scholastic  instruments,  books, 
etc.,  but  also  in  adopting  the  English  system  of  send- 
ing the  chef  d'ceuvres  of  the  museum  (traveling  collec- 
tions) into  the  provinces  by  arranging  and  encourag- 
ing numerous  and  frequent  exhibitions  throughout 
the  country.' 

"  The  fact  that  before  the  establishment  of  training 
schools  and  museums  in  London,  France  supplied  her 
with  designers  at  costly  prices,  adds  point  to  the  above 
statement. 

"It  is  curious  and  interesting  also  to  note  that 
America  is  included  in  the  list  of  countries  which  have 


OF   CINCINNATI.  71 

spurred  France  on  to  the  establishment  of  her  Museum 
of  Decorative  Art. 

"  We  know  that  in  some  of  the  important  industries 
we  are  independent  of  foreign  workmanship,  and  that 
American  machinery  and  many  manufactures,  on  ac- 
count of  their  excellence  and  cheapness,  find  a  ready 
market  in  various  parts  of  the  world.  In  certain  in- 
dustrial regions  of  Europe  serious  concern  is  felt  as 
to  how  their  workshops  and  men  are  to  be  occupied 
and  fed.  Their  best  customer  has  ceased  to  buy  of 
them,  and  is  beginning  to  supply  the  markets  at  prices 
and  in  quality  with  which  they  can  not  compete.  But 
at  the  Universal  Exposition  of  1878  the  United  States 
appears  in  a  new  role — as  a  competitor  for  the  honors 
of  success  among  the  producers  of  the  artistic  and  the 
beautiful. 

"  Tiffany  &  Co.,  of  JTew  York,  took  the  grand  prize 
for  design  and  workmanship  in  their  wares  of  gold 
and  silver ;  and  our  friend  and  co-worker,  Miss  M. 
Louise  McLaughlin,  was  awarded  honorable  mention 
for  her  modest  representation  of  decorated  china  and 
her  'American  Faience.' 

"All  over  the  country  Schools  of  Design  or  classes 
for  instruction  in  some  branch  of  technical  work  are 
springing  up.  Nor  is  this  evidence  of  interest  con- 
fined to  large  cities.  .  .  .  Loan  Exhibitions  in 
various  parts  of  the  country  show  how  wide-spread 
and  universal  is  the  interest  in  the  general  subject. 
Like  the  awakening  of  spring,  the  forces  of  life  seem 
every-where  at  work  for  a  higher  expression  of  their 
capabilities. 

u  The  signs  of  the  times  seem  clearly  to  indicate 
that  the  United  States  will  not  long  occupy  her  dis- 


72  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

languished  position  at  the  foot  of  the  list,  but  that  she 
is  preparing  to  take  her  place  among  the  other  great 
nations  as  a  producer  of  the  beautiful,  as  well  as  of 
the  merely  useful.  ...  In  view  of  the  fact  that 
collections  of  masterpieces  of  art  are  being  formed  in 
different  parts  of  the  country,  with  schools  for  tech- 
nical training,  and  looking  at  the  growth  of  interest 
during  the  past  two  years,  it  seems  not  extravagant 
to  conclude  that,  in  some  city  lying  within  the  water- 
shed of  the  Allegheny  mountains  and  the  Missouri 
and  Mississippi  rivers,  will  be  founded  the  Art 
Museum  par  excellence  of  this  important  region. 

"  Should  Cincinnati  occupy  the  Held  by  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  museum  on  liberal  principles,  it  is  hardly 
possible  to  foresee  the  extent  of  benefits  to  her  future 
population.  Passing  over  its  general  social  and  com- 
mercial bearings,  we  women  see  in  it  opportunity  for 
the  employment  and  training  of  our  children,  which 
reaches  far  into  the  solution  of  the  question  of  the 
morals  of  the  rising  generation.  Since  idleness  is 
proverbially  the  root  of  all  evil,  let  us  provide  occu- 
pation which  will  interest  our  children  and  youth.  .  .  . 

"  We  have  reason  to  believe  that  the  organization 
and  its  movements  have  not  been  without  results.  We 
may  properly  feel  that  we  have  taken  part  in  the  im- 
pulse which  is  unmistakably  bearing  our  country  to  a 
higher  position  in  new  directions.  .  .  .  Some 
valuable  articles  have  been  given  to  the  future  collec- 
tion. At  present  there  is  no  place  provided  for  their 
reception,  and  it  may  be  said  there  is  no  corporation 
legally  authorized  to  receive  them.  .  .  . 

"The  question  whether  this  Association  might  not, 
with  propriety,  take  steps  to  become  incorporated, 


OF   CINCINNATI.  73 

appears  to  us  a  proper  one  for  our  consideration.  We 
would  call  your  attention  to  a  new  statute,  or  amend- 
ment rather,  to  the  old  laws  on  corporations  of  this 
kind,  which  was  passed  May  7,  1878,  entitled,  'An 
act  to  provide  for  the  administration  of  property  given 
for  the  promotion  of  science,  art,  and  like  purposes, 
poses,  and  to  protect  the  same  from  waste.' 

"An  incorporation  under  this  act  would  form  an 
Association  whose  powers  would  be  transmitted 
through,  its  members  and  officers,  who  should  succeed 
each  other,  and  which  would  be  legally  empowered  to 
receive,  and  hold,  and  use,  such  gifts  and  means  as 
might  be  entrusted  to  it,  until  such  time  as  there  shall 
be  a  museum  with  its  permanent  organization  to  re- 
ceive them." 

After  some  discussion  of  the  subject,  it  was  decided 
that  the  Association  take  the  proper  steps  to  become 
incorporated  ;  and,  at  a  subsequent  meeting,  January 
13,  1879,  the  following  articles  of  incorporation  were 
adopted : 


74  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 


CONSTITUTION 

OF    THE 

Women's  Art   Museum  Association 

OF   CINCINNATI,   OHIO. 


ARTICLE   I. 

Organization  and  Name. 

The  undersigned  women,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  being 
five  (5)  in  number,  viz.,  Mrs.  Sarah  B.  Carlisle,  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  W.  Perry,  Mrs.  Mary  Shillito,  Mrs.  Susan 
L.  Winslow,  and  Mrs.  Ellen  W.  Stanwood,  do  hereby 
certify  that  they  associate  themselves  together,  and  de- 
sire to  create  an  incorporated  association,  under  an  act 
entitled  "  an  Act  to  Provide  for  the  Promotion  of  Sci- 
ence, Art,  and  like  purposes,  and  to  Protect  the  same 
from  Waste,"  passed  May  7, 1878,  and  do  provide  and 
agree  that  the  name  assumed  by  this  Association,  and 
by  which  it  shall  be  known,  is  "  WOMEN'S  ART  MU- 
SEUM ASSOCIATION  OF  CINCINNATI." 

ARTICLE  II. 

Trustees. 

The  names  of  the  trustees,  who  shall  be  twelve  (12) 
in  number,  two-thirds  of  whom  are  resident  citizens 
of  the  county  of  Hamilton,  and  State  of  Ohio,  are 


OF   CINCINNATI.  75 

these,  viz.,  Elizabeth  "W.  Perry,  Jane  P.  Dodd,  Eliza- 
beth K  Whitman,  Sophia  P.  Mallon,  Eliza  GL  Davis, 
Caroline  Hulbert,  Mary  F.  Huntington,  Sarah  C. 
Perry,  Mary  Shillito,  Ellen  Stanwood,  Laura  Yallette, 
Susan  L.  Winslow. 

ARTICLE   III. 

Location. 

The  Association  shall  be  located  in  the  city  of  Cin- 
cinnati, county  of  Hamilton,  State  of  Ohio. 


ARTICLE   IV. 

Object. 

The  general  objects  and  purposes  of  said  Association 
are  the  cultivation  of  the  principles  of  art,  and  their 
application  to  industrial  pursuits ;  the  receiving  of 
gifts,  devises,  trusts,  or  loans ;  the  having  and  main- 
taining such  suitable  establishments,  and  the  using 
such  suitable  means  as  the  Association  may  be  able  to 
acquire  for  these  purposes ;  to  use,  administer,  and 
preserve  such  gifts,  loans,  and  devises,  as  may  be  in- 
trusted to  the  Association,  for  the  objects  and  pur- 
poses mentioned,  until  such  time  as  a  better  endowed 
and  more  useful  organization  for  an  art  museum  shall 
be  ready  to  receive  them  ;  and  with  the  privilege  of 
transferring  them  to  such  better  endowed  organiza- 
tion, when,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Association,  it  can 
be  done  with  safety  and  advantage  to  the  general  pur- 
pose and  objects  herein  expressed. 


76  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

ARTICLE  V. 
Officers. 

The  officers  of  the  corporation  shall  be  twelve  (12) 
trustees,  one  president,  two  vice-presidents,  one  cor- 
responding secretary,  one  recording  secretary  (who 
shall  be  designated,  and  sign  her  name  simply  as  sec- 
retary), and  one  treasurer.  The  term  of  office  for  each 
shall  be  one  year,  and  until  her  successor  shall  be 
chosen  and  qualified. 

ARTICLE   VI. 

Duties. 

SECTION  1.  The  duty  of  the  president  shall  be  to  pre- 
side at  all  meetings  of  the  Association  and  of  the 
trustees,  and  to  appoint  all  committees  raised  by  the 
Association  and  by  the  trustees,  except  when  other 
provision  shall  be  made  for  their  appointment. 

SEC.  2.  The  duties  of  the  vice-president  shall  be  to 
preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  Association,  in  the  ab- 
sence of  the  president,  and  to  appoint  committees,  and 
perform  such  other  duties  as  the  Association  may  as- 
sign. 

SEC.  3.  Subject  to  the  direction  of  the  trustees,  and 
in  accordance  with  rules  and  by-laws  from  time  to 
time  adopted,  the  treasurer  shall  collect,  hold,  and  pay 
out  all  moneys,  bonds,  or  assets,  which  may  be  in  the 
nature  of  convertible  or  cash  assets,  and  shall  make 
and  keep  the  same  accurate,  detailed  account  of  such 
funds,  and  the  receipts  and  disbursements  thereof,  as 
is  now  required  to  be  kept  by  the  fiscal  agents  of  the 
state,  under  the  act  entitled  "  an  Act  to  Provide  for 


OF   CINCINNATI.  77 

the  Publication  of  an  Accurate  and  Detailed  State- 
ment of  the  Keceipts  and  Expenditures  of  the  Public 
Revenue,"  passed  March  14, 1853  (S.  &  C.  114,  51  vol. 
Stat.  428).  The  treasurer  shall  report  to  the  trustees 
once  in  three  months,  or  oftener  if  required.  Before 
entering  upon  her  duties,  the  treasurer  shall  give 
bond,  with  security,  to  the  acceptance  of  the  trustees. 

SEC.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  recording  secre- 
tary to  keep  accurate  minutes  of  all  meetings  of  the 
Association,  and  of  all  meetings  of  the  trustees;  to  re- 
ceive and  keep,  under  the  direction  of  the  trustees,  all 
gifts,  loans,  and  property  of  the  Association,  except 
money,  bonds,  or  cash  assets  ;  to  keep  an  inventory 
of  the  same ;  to  keep  books  of  accounts  of  sales,  trans- 
fers, exchanges,  or  other  disposition  of  such  property, 
and  of  all  the  business  of  the  Association,  including 
an  account  of  all  items  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
treasurer  by  the  trustees.  When  the  reports  made  to 
the  trustees  shall  have  been  examined  and  verified  by 
the  trustees  from  time  to  time,  the  recording  secre- 
tary, once  in  three  months,  or  oftener,  shall  place  on 
her  books  a  credit  for  the  amount  shown  to  have  been 
paid  out  by  the  treasurer,  and  shall  so  arrange  and 
keep  her  books  that  they  shall  show  all  moneys  and 
other  assets  in  the  hands  of  the  treasurer,  as  well  as 
the  history  and  condition  of  all  items  of  other  prop- 
erty loaned  to  or  owned  by  the  Association.  The  re- 
cording secretary  shall  do  all  other  acts  necessary  and 
appertaining  to  the  duties  of  a  secretary,  or  required 
of  her  by  the  Association. 

SEC.  5.  The  corresponding  secretary  shall,  under  di- 
rection of  the  trustees,  conduct  the  correspondence  of 
the  Association ;  shall  keep  copies  of  all  letters  writ- 


78  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

ten,  and  preserve  the  files,  properly  arranged  and 
marked,  of  all  letters  received,  and  perform  such 
other  duties  as  may  be  assigned  her  by  the  Associ- 
ation. 

SEC.  6.  Persons  may  become  members  of  the  Asso- 
ciation by  registering  their  names  as  such  with  the 
recording  secretary,  and  by  paying  tbe  annual  fee  of 
three  dollars.  Each  member  will  be  entitled  to  one 
vote  in  all  meetings  of  the  Association. 

SEC.  7.  All  persons  who  were  members  of  the  Wo- 
men's Art  Museum  Association  before  it  was  incorpo- 
rated, whose  yearly  dues  have  been  paid  to  that  Asso- 
ciation, will  be  entitled  to  vote,  and  to  all  the  privi- 
leges of  membership  in  this  Association,  without 
further  payment,  until  the  year  for  which  payment 
has  been  made  shall  expire. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

Annual  Meetings. 

The  annual  meetings  of  the  Association  shall  be 
held  on  the  second  Monday  of  January  of  each  year, 
unless,  by  act  of  the  Association,  a  different  time 
shall  be  fixed.  Other  meetings  shall  be  held  at  the 
call  of  the  trustees,  or  of  any  five  members  of  the 
Association. 

ARTICLE   VIII. 

Alterations  in  the  Articles  of  Association. 

No  alterations  shall  be  made  in  the  articles  of  asso- 
ciation, unless  notice  is  given,  at  the  call  of  the  meet- 
ing, that  an  alteration  will  be  proposed  at  the  meeting 


OF   CINCINNATI.  79 

for  consideration  ;  nor  unless  two-thirds  of  the  mem- 
bers, voting  at  such  meeting  or  at  some  adjournment 
thereof,  shall  vote  for  such  alteration. 


ARTICLE   IX. 

Annual  Reports. 

SECTION  1.  At  each  annual  meeting  the  trustees 
shall  report,  in  writing,  the  transactions  of  the  year 
preceding,  the  true  condition  and  prospect  of  the  Asso- 
ciation, and  make  such  suggestions  as  they  shall  deem 
important  concerning  its  affairs. 

SEC.  2.  The  treasurer,  the  recording  secretary,  and 
corresponding  secretary  shall,  at  such  times  as  re- 
quired by  the  trustees,  preceding  the  annual  meeting, 
make  their  respective  annual  reports  to  the  trustees. 


ARTICLE   X. 

Election  of  Officers. 

SECTION  1.  At  each  annual  meeting,  the  members 
of  the  Association  shall  elect  a  president,  who  shall, 
by  virtue  of  such  election  and  of  her  office,  be  one  of 
the  trustees;  two  vice-presidents ;  a  treasurer;  a  re- 
cording secretary,  and  a  corresponding  secretary. 

SEC.  2.  Elections  shall  be  by  ballot,  and  a  majority 
of  the  votes  cast  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice. 

SEC.  3.  No  person  shall  be  eligible  as  a  trustee,  or 
other  officer,  who  is  not  a  member  of  the  Association, 
or  who  has  not  complied  with  the  terms  and  condi- 
tions of  membership. 


80  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

ARTICLE  XI. 
Account  of  Articles  or  Collections. 

"When  articles  or  collections  shall  be  purchased  or 
given,  or  loaned,  the  trustees  shall  keep  a  separate 
book  of  account,  in  which  shall  be  entered  by  the  secre- 
tary all  purchases,  with  the  date,  purchase  price,  and 
purpose  of  the  purchase ;  also,  all  gifts,  trusts,  loans, 
and  devises,  with  the  date,  name,  and  residence  of  the 
person  giving,  loaning,  placing  in  trust,  or  devising 
the  same,  and  shall,  in  connection  therewith,  designate 
the  paper  containing  the  terms  and  conditions  of  the 
transaction,  which  papers  shall  be  carefully  marked, 
filed,  and  preserved.  This  book  shall  be  considered 
part  of  the  minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  trustees, 
and  as  such  shall  be  verified  by  the  signature  of  the 
president,  from  time  to  time. 

ARTICLE   XII. 

Examination  of  Reports. 

Once  in  three  months,  or  oftener,  the  trustees,  by 
a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  of  not  fewer 
than  three  members,  shall  carefully  examine  in  detail, 
item  by  item,  the  reports  made  by  the  treasurer,  and 
not  before  examined,  and  compare  the  same  with  the 
minutes  of  the  trustees,  the  books  of  the  secretary, 
and  the  books  of  the  treasurer,  to  see  if  any  thing 
has  been  received  by  the  Association,  properly 
referable  to  the  treasurer,  which  has  not  been  so 
referred  and  so  entered  in  the  minutes  of  the  trus- 
tees and  books  of  the  secretary,  and  to  see  if  any 
thing  has  been  referred  to  the  treasurer  and  not  prop- 


OF   CINCINNATI.  81 

erly  entered  on  her  books,  and  if  any  thing  so  entered 
on  her  books  has  been — in  whole  or  in  part — disposed 
of  without  a  proper  entry.  If  the  committee  shall 
find  any  thing  incorrect,  or  every  thing  correct,  they 
shall  report  to  the  trustees,  in  writing,  according  to 
the  facts,  and  shall  sign  their  names  to  the  report. 
The  report  so  signed  shall  be  ordered  to  be  filed  and 
preserved  by  the  secretary,  and  a  minute  of  the  same 
be  entered  on  the  proceedings  of  the  trustees.  Should 
any  thing  be  found  incorrect  and  unconnected,  the 
trustees  shall  immediately  take  such  steps  as  may  be 
necessary  to  correct  the  error,  and  their  action  to  that 
end  shall  be  entered  on  the  minutes  of  their  proceed- 
ings. At  corresponding  periods  the  same,  or  a  similar 
committee,  shall  examine  the  reports  of  the  secretary, 
compared  with  the  minutes  of  the  trustees,  and  with 
things  received  referable  to  the  secretary  and  the  ac- 
counts of  the  secretary,  and  the  report  and  proceed- 
ings be  made  and  had  thereon  in  all  respects  like 
examinations,  reports  and  proceedings  required  with 
reference  to  the  treasurer. 

ARTICLE   XIII. 

Minutes. 

SECTION  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to 
see  that  the  proper  entries  are  made  in  the  minutes  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  trustees,  and  in  the  minutes  of 
the  meetings  of  the  Association. 

SEC.  2.  At  each  meeting  of  the  trustees,  and  at  each 
meeting  of  the  Association,  the  minutes  of  the  meet- 
ing last  preceding  shall  be  read  before  proceeding  to 
other  business,  and,  if  correct,  or  when  corrected,  shall 


82  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION. 

be  verified  by  the  signature  of  the  president.  The 
minutes  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Association,  and  of 
the  trustees,  shall,  at  all  times,  be  open  to  the  inspec- 
tion of  any  member  of  the  Association. 

ARTICLE   XIV. 

Seal. 

The  trustees  shall  procure  a  seal  for  the  Association. 
Written  contracts  and  formal  papers  of  the  Associa- 
tion shall  be  authenticated  by  the  seal  of  the  Associa- 
tion, with  the  signature  of  the  president,  and  attested 
by  the  signature  of  the  secretary. 

[SEAL.]  SARAH.  B.  CARLISLE, 

[SEAL.]  ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY, 

[SEAL.]  MARY  SHILLITO, 

[SEAL.]  SUSAN  L.  WINSLOW, 

[SEAL.]  ELLEN  W.  STANWOOD. 


STATE  OF  OHIO,  ) 

Hamilton  County.  J 

Personally  came  before  me,  a  Notary  Public  within 
and  for  said  county,  Sarah  B.  Carlisle,  Elizabeth  W. 
Perry,  Mary  Shillito,  Susan  L.  Winslow,  Ellen  W. 
Stanwood,  the  corporators  named  in  the  following 
certificate,  and  acknowledged  respectively  that  they 
did  voluntarily  sign  and  seal  the  same,  and  that  they 
are  still  satisfied  therewith  as  their  respective  volun 
tary  act  and  deed,  for  the  uses  and  purposes  therein 
stated. 


.  OF   CINCINNATI.  83 

In  testimony  lohereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand 
and  notarial  seal,  this  17th  day  of  January,  1879. 
[L.  s.]  J.  D.  MACNEALE,  Notary  Public, 

Hamilton  Co.,  0. 


STATE  OF  OHIO,  1 

Hamilton  County.  J 

I,  Lewis  G.  Bernard,  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas  within  and  for  said  County  of  Hamilton,  do 
hereby  certify  that  J.  D.  Macneale,  whose  name  is 
signed  to  the  certificate  hereto  attached,  was,  at  the 
time  of  subscribing  the  same,  a  legally  acting  Notary 
Public  in  and  for 'said  County  of  Hamilton,  duly  com- 
missioned and  qualified,  and  I  am  well  acquainted 
with  his  handwriting,  and  believe  his  said  signature 
to  be  genuine. 

In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand 
and  affixed  the  seal  of  the  said  Court,  at  Cincinnati, 
this  18th  day  of  January,  1879. 

[L.  s.]  LEWIS  G.  BERNARD, 

Clerk,  H.  C.  C.  P.  C. 
By  JNO.  G.  GARRISON,  Deputy. 


84  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION. 


The  incorporation  of  the  Association  having  been 
accomplished,  plans  of  work  for  the  future  were  con- 
sidered :  the  opening  of  rooms  for  the  accommodation 
of  classes,  and  for  the  sale  of  decorative  work,  which 
had  passed  the  examination  of  a  committee,  and  been 
found  worthy,  was  decided  on.  During  the  discussion 
of  the  subject,  an  earnest  paper  was  read  by  Mrs.  Wm. 
Dodd,  which  was  requested  for  publication,  and  is 
here  given. 

"We  are  now  beginning  a  new  cycle  in  the  history 
of  the  Art  Musum,  and  it  is  important  for  us  all  to 
have  a  clear  and  distinct  idea  of  what  we  propose  to 
do.  We  should  recognize  the  fact  that  a  great  work 
is  before  us.  Our  articles  of  incorporation  give  us  a 
broad  field  on  which  to  spend  our  energies  and  means. 
We  do  not  ourselves  propose  to  build  in  brick  or  stone, 
but  to  lay  a  foundation  upon  which  other  and  stronger 
hands  may  build. 

"  Our  aim  is  to  give  practical  encouragement  to  the 
women  of  our  city  and  county  who  are  trying  to  ap- 
ply their  art  work  to  use.  There  is  much  talent 
among  us  which  justifies  us  in  hoping  for  grand  re- 
sults in  the  future. 

"  In  view  of  the  work  proposed,  it  is  of  primary 
importance  that  we  should  have  a  local  habitation — a 
house,  or  even  a  single  room  would  at  present  suffice 
our  purposes — a  place  where  we  could  exhibit  the 


OF   CINCINNATI.  85 

works  of  art  which  we  now  hold  in  trust  for  the  Art 
Museum,  and  where  we  can  receive  other  treasures  as 
they  may  from  time  to  time  be  donated.  This  would 
give  students  opportunities  which  they  can  have  in 
no  other  way.  But  we  are  not  limited  to  the  mere 
exhibition  of  works  of  art.  Our  practical  work  at 
present  is  similar  to  that  which  is  being  accomplished 
under  the  auspices  of  decorative  art  societies. 

aOur  Constitution  enables  us  to  adopt  plans  of  in- 
struction, either  by  lectures,  classes,  or  otherwise,  to 
encourage  in  every  way  thorough  work. 

"A  very  desirable  feature  would  be  the  formation  of 
a  library  of  works  on  decorative  art,  the  books  to  be 
used  for  reference ;  the  nucleus  of  which  could  no 
doubt  be  drawn  from  many  of  our  own  private  libra- 
ries. In  this  direction  there  is  a  wide  field  for  con- 
sideration. We  can  not  overestimate  the  importance 
— indeed,  the  necessity  of  a  school  of  art  where  our 
women  can  have  broad,  thorough,  and  systematic  in- 
struction in  all  departments  of  artistic  work.  It  is 
also  in  the  scope  of  our  work  to  furnish  a  place  for 
receiving  such  salable  articles  as  shall  have  been  ac- 
cepted by  a  judicious  committee.  There  might  also 
be  kind  advice  given  to  ambitious  workers  whose 
aspirations  have  outstripped  their  culture.  Such  ad- 
vice, if  taken  in  the  right  spirit,  might  be  of  invalu- 
able service;  when  we  see  time  and  talent  wasted  on 
work  called  artistic,  which  bears  no  more  resemblance 
to  true  art  than  noxious  weeds  to  choice  exotics,  we 
confess  there  is  need  among  us  of  an  art  censor.  Art 
without  culture  grows  rank  as  uncultivated  flowers. 
It  is  said  by  a  recent  writer  that  the  whole  world  is 
growing  artistic,  and  that  in  this  country  we  bid  fair 


86  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

to  run  the  new  enthusiasm  into  a  craze.  Let  us  take 
care  to  keep  onrselves  above  any  such  criticism — 
rationally  and  intelligently  to  consider  each  step  taken, 
accept  only  what  is  good,  and  give  encouragement 
only  to  such  as  are  striving  to  reach  a  high  standard. 
"  We  wish  to  dissipate  the  idea  that  this  is  a  society 
of  artists  or  connoisseurs  only.  We  are  an  associa- 
tion of  women,  working  to  help  those  who  would 
make  their  artistic  work  of  use.  There  are  hundreds 
of  ways  in  which  this  may  be  done ;  but,  to  enable  us 
to  accomplish  even  a  small  part  of  what  we  hope 
for,  we  need  many  new  members,  and  the  earn- 
est co-operation  of  each  member.  All  can  not  work 
in  the  same  direction;  but,  let  each  one  consider  it 
her  imperative  duty  to  be  present  at  our  regular 
monthly  meetings,  and  show  by  her  presence  that, 
whenever  there  is  work  to  be  done,  she  is  willing  to 
do  whatever  she  can." 

The  use  of  rooms  for  the  Association,  free  of  rent, 
was  offered  by  Mr.  John  Carlisle,  and  also  by  Mr.  W. 
P.  Hulbert ;  but  neither  quite  suited  the  purposes  for 
which  they  were  required — and  they  were  gratefully 
declined. 

It  was  not  expected  that  the  opening  of  rooms,  and 
classes  of  instruction,  an  important  feature  of  which 
might  be  free  pupils,  would  be  a  money  making  oper- 
ation. Consequently,  it  was  decided  not  to  use  the 
funds  on  hand  ($2,100  in  4  per  cent  bonds) ;  but  to  se- 
cure, by  subscriptions,  such  a  sum  as  would  cover  the 
expense  of  fitting  up  rooms,  etc.  Two  rooms  on  sec- 
ond floor,  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  Home  streets, 


OF   CINCINNATI.  87 

were  rented  from  March  15th  for  seven  months  :  they 
were  pleasantly  but  simply  fitted  for  class  and  sales 
rooms ;  and  instruction  was  here  given  in  china  paint- 
ing, by  Mrs  Frank  Ellis;  water-color  painting,  by 
Mrs.  Keenan ;  and  artistic  embroidery,  by  Mrs.  An- 
thony. 

Meanwhile,  the  refusal  of  the  rooms  on  the  second 
floor  of  the  south  wing  of  exposition  building  was 
secured  for  the  fall.  The  Association  was  represented 
in  the  industrial  exhibition  of  this  year  by  an  exhibit 
of  decorative  art,  including  incised  and  relief  decora- 
tion of  native  clays :  underglaze  decoration  of  stone 
china,  and  yellow  ware ;  enameled  faience ;  water- 
color  studies ;  Kensington  embroidery,  etc. 

The  first  board  of  trustees  and  officers  elected  after 
the  incorporation,  for  the  year  1879,  were  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Trustees. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY  (ex  officio), 

"    WM.  DODD, 

"    P.  MALLON, 

"    H.  C.  WHITMAN, 

"    JOHN  DAVIS, 

"  '  W.  P.  HULBERT, 

"    A.  S.  WINSLOW, 

"    FRED.  W.  HUNTINGTON, 

"    M.  F.  FORCE, 

"    JOHN  SHILLITO, 

"    THEODORE  STANWOOD, 
Miss  LAURA  VALLETTE. 


88  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

Officers. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY,  President. 

"    FRED.  "W.  HUNTINGTON,  1st  Vice-president. 

"    A.  D.  BULLOCK,  2d  " 

"    H.  C.  WHITMAN,  Treasurer. 
Miss  E.  H.  APPLETON,  Recording  Secretary. 

"    JANE  C.  NEAVE,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

In  November,  1879,  the  two  small  rooms  on  Fourth 
street  were  abandoned,  and  the  Association  estab- 
lished itself  in  the  south  wing  of  the  exposition  build- 
ings, second  floor — occupying  what  are  known  as  the 
two  picture  galleries,  the  engraving  room,  and  the 
corridor,  with  the  small  room  at  the  south  end  of  it. 

With  the  increase  of  space,  their  operations  were 
enlarged.  The  rooms  were  made  cheerful  and  pleas- 
ant, by  pictures,  window-shades,  a  few  rugs,  and 
the  necessary  furniture;  none  of  it  expensive,  but 
suitable  and  convenient.  Classes  were  continued  in 
the  specialties  previously  taught,  and  new  classes  were 
opened  in  Decorative  Modeling,  under  Mr.  Mersman; 
in  Drawing  and  Water-color,  under  Mr.  Muhrman; 
in  Drawing  and  Oil-painting,  under  Mr.  Twachtman; 
in  Modeling  (sculpture),  under  Mr.  Powers. 

The  large  picture  gallery  was  opened  as  a  perma- 
nent Loan  exhibition.  A  number  of  gifts,  of  some 
value  and  interest,  had  been  made  to  the  Association  ; 
and,  with  the  loans  which  were  secured,  of  paintings,* 

*  It  is  pleasant  to  record  that,  among  the  interesting  objects 
loaned  to  the  Association  for  their  permanent  Loan  Exhibition^ 
were  six  of  the  paintings  (one  of  them  being  the  "School  of 
Athens")  procured  by  Mrs.  Peter,  and  the  ladies  of  her  associa- 


OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY- 


OF    CINCINNATI.  ftQ 

statuary,  tapestries,  porcelains,  etc.,  the  collection 
soon  became  an  attractive  one.  The  rent  of  the 
rooms  for  one  year  was  gracefully  and  generously 
assumed  by  Mr.  Reuben  Springer :  the  amount  of  the 
contribution  was  of  consequence  to  the  Association 
but  the  act  was  of  more  worth  as  a  spontaneous  ex- 
pression of  good  will  and  respect. 

At  the  annual  meeting  held  January  11,  1880,  in 
the  Art  Museum  rooms,  exposition  building,  the  fol- 
lowing trustees  and  officers  were  elected  : 

Trustees. 

Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY  (ex  officio), 
"    H.  C.  WHITMAN, 
"    Q.  A.  KEITH, 
"    JOHN  T.  PERRY, 
«    P.  MALLON, 

"     A.  S.  WlNSLOW, 
"     W.  P.  HULBERT, 

"  THEODORE  STANWOOD, 

"  JOHN  SHILLITO, 

"  R.  M.  W.  TAYLOR, 

"  M.  F.  FORCE, 

"  GEORGE  HOADLY. 


tion.     For  these  we  were  indebted  to  the  courtesy  of  the  direc- 
tors of  the  Cincinnati  University. 

It  may  be  mentioned  here,  that  after  the  School  of  Design 
was  transferred  to  the  Museum  Association  in  1884,  these  paint- 
ings, which  had  been  stored  in  an  unused  room  for  several  years, 
have  occupied  an  honorable  place  in  the  galleries  of  the  Mu- 
seum— a  graceful  and  merited  fulfillment  of  the  intentions  of 
the  Association  of  1854. 


90  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

Officers. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY,  President. 

"    P.  MALLON,  Vice-president. 

"    ALPHONSO  TAPT,      " 

"    H.  C.  WHITMAN,  Treasurer. 
Miss  ELIZABETH  H.  APPLETON,  Eec.  Secretary. 

"    JANE  C.  NEAVE,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

In  the  months  of  February  and  May,  of  1880,  with 
a  view  to  bringing  together  the  artists  of  the  city, 
and  those  who  were  interested  in  their  work,  two 
"  artists"  receptions  were  held  by  the  Association.  A 
general  invitation  was  given  to  the  artists  of  Cincin- 
nati to  contribute  specimens  of  their  work,  finished,  or 
sketches,  in  oil  or  water-color,  modelings  in  clay, 
pieces  in  plaster  or  marble,  pen  drawings,  etchings, 
decorated  porcelain,  or  pottery,  etc.  The  occasions 
were  social  and  agreeable. 

In  May,  during  the  Musical  Festival,  and  the  Mil- 
lers' Exposition — the  attractions  of  the  permanent 
collection  having  been  increased  by  additions  to  the 
previous  loans,  etc.,  of  various  kinds — the  rooms  were 
opened  at  a  small  fee  for  admission. 

On  invitation  of  the  Association,  Mr.  M.  D.  Conway 
gave  a  lecture  on  the  South  Kensington  Museum,  at 
College  Hall,  on  the  evening  of  October  14,  1880. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  91 


On  the  evening  of  September  8,  1880,  it  was  first 
publicly  announced — at  the  opening  of  the  Industrial 
Exposition — that  Mr.  Chas.  W.  West  had  offered  to 
give  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars as  a  fund  for  an  art  museum  building,  on  the  con- 
dition that  citizens  would  subscribe  an  equal  sum 
within  a  year. 

The  enthusiasm  occasioned  by  this  intelligence 
could  only  be  surpassed  by  the  announcement  made 
on  the  dosing  evening  of  the  Exposition,  October  9th, 
that  the  conditions  of  the  gift  of  Mr.  West  had  been 
more  than  fulfilled  :  one  hundred  and  sixty  thousand 
one  hundred  and  sixteen  dollars  having  been  secured 
by  popular  subscriptions  in  the  space  of  one  month, 
not  including  the  receipts  of  the  last  day  of  the  Expo- 
sition— two  thousand  four  hundred  and  sixteen  dol- 
lars, which  had  been  voted  by  the  commissioners  to 
the  funds — making  a  total,  with  Mr.  West's  gift,  of 
three  hundred  and  thirteen  thousand  five  hundred 
and  thirty-two  dollars,  as  a  building  fund  for  the 
museum  ! 

At  the  regular  monthly  meeting  of  the  Association, 
November  1,  1880,  after  the  announcement  that  a  full 
course  of  lessons  in  the  various  branches  heretofore 
arranged  would  be  carried  on  during  the  winter,  and 
the  regular  business  having  been  concluded,  the  trus- 


92  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

tees  addressed  some  remarks  to  the  meeting,  from 
which  the  following  extracts  are  given : 

"  The  circumstances  under  which  we  come  together 
to-day  are  such,  that  we  need  not  refrain  from  con- 
gratulating you  upon  the  happy  fruition  which  the 
past  few  months  has  brought  to  all  who  are  interested 
in  the  subject  of  the  museum. 

"  At  our  last  meeting,  June  1st,  there  was  no  sign 
obvious  to  us  on  the  horizon  of  the  speedy  accom- 
plishment of  our  hopes  and  wishes.  So  far  as  we 
could  foresee  the  immediate  future,  our  course  was 
clear  and  our  duties  plain :  to  maintain  our  organiza- 
tion, and  to  advance,  as  far  as  our  means  and  influ- 
ence permitted,  the  great  object  which  we  have  had  at 
heart.  It  is  a  pleasant  thought  to  us  that,  during  the 
nearly  four  years  of  our  organization,  our  hope  and 
courage  have  never  faltered.  .  .  .  It  is  also  a 
pleasant  thought  that  so  few  of  those  who  were  with 
us  in  the  beginning,  and  who  helped  us  with  their 
judgment  and  influence,  are  absent  from  our  ranks 
to-day. 

"  The  great  beneficence  of  Mr.  West,  followed  by 
the  generous  gifts  of  the  citizens  of  Cincinnati,  will 
enable  us,  at  no  very  distant  day,  to  tranfer  to  the 
permanent  museum  organization  the  results  of  our 
work. 

"  We  would  suggest  that  we  consider  at  some  suit- 
able time  whether,  during  the  year,  we  may  not  prop- 
erly raise  a  fund  among  the  women  of  the  city,  by 
subscription  and  other  means,  for  the  purpose  of  pre- 
senting a  collection  to  the  museum  from  the  women 
of  Cincinnati.  Such  a  gift  would  be  eminently  proper 
from  this  Association,  and,  we  believe,  would  enlist 


OF   CINCINNATI.  93 

the  sympathy  of  ladies  generally.  Should  you  approve 
the  suggestion,  a  time  might  be  appointed  for  the  con- 
sideration of  the  subject." 

The  prospect  that  the  permanent  museum  organiza- 
tion would  soon  be  made,  led  to  interesting  discussion, 
on  the  part  of  the  Association,  as  to  what  action  on 
their  part  would  best  subserve  the  interests  of  the  in- 
stitution which  now  seemed  so  nearly  accomplished. 
It  was  hoped  the  permanent  organization  would  soon 
be  formed,  and  that  it  would  take,  and  use,  tempora- 
rily, the  rooms  now  occupied  by  us.  We  desired,  as 
soon  as  it  could  be  properly  done,  to  close  our  active 
work,  give  up  our  rooms,  cut  off  expense,  and  keep 
the  little  money  on  hand  for  use  in  the  direction  of  a 
gift  to  the  future  museum. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Association,  November 
20,  1880,  a  communication  from  Mr.  Julius  Dexter 
was  read,  speaking  of  the  probable  early  organization 
of  the  Art  Museum,  and  of  the  possibility  of  that  or- 
ganization taking  the  rooms  of  this  Association  if  we 
should  then  give  them  up — and,  therefore,  of  the  ad- 
visability of  continuance  of  active  work  by  us  until 
that  time.  This  communication  was  from  Mr.  Dexter 
as  an  individual,  and  without  official  authority.  The 
subject  was  discussed,  and,  on  motion  of  Mrs.  John 
Davis,  it  was  "  Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed who  shall  report  upon  the  time  when,  and  the 
circumstances  under  which,  they  would  advise  the 
Association  to  make  the  transfer  provided  for  in  arti- 
cle 4,  of  the  constitution." 


94  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION. 

In  the  report  of  the  trustees  to  the  Association  at 
the  annual  meeting,  January  10, 1881,  we  find  the  fol- 
lowing : 

The  generous  gift  of  Mr.  Charles  "W".  West,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1880,  of  $150,000  for  the  building  of  a  mu- 
seum, to  which  was  added,  within  a  month,  by  the 
zealous  efforts  of  Mr.  M.  E.  Ingalls  and  a  committee  on 
subscriptions,  a  somewhat  larger  sum,  called  a  halt  in 
the  plans  of  the  Association  for  the  work  of  the  com- 
ing year. 

Having  done  what  we  could  to  develop  and  ad- 
vance the  idea  of  such  an  institution,  we  may  prop- 
erly feel  that  the  active  work  of  our  organization  is 
ended. 

The  Cincinnati  Museum  is  assured. 

The  sum  subcribed  is  sufficient  for  the  building  that 
will  at  first  be  needed  for  the  purposes  of  a  museum, 
and  its  classes  for  technical  training,  and  the  spirit  in 
which  it  has  been  accomplished,  by  those  who  are  able 
to  secure  its  future,  leaves  no  room  to  doubt  that  the 
means  of  growth  will  be  provided. 

A  meeting  of  trustees  was  held  November  8th,  to 
consider  the  situation,  and  the  following  was  unani- 
mously recommended  to  the  Association  : 

"  WHEREAS,  an  interest  has  arisen  in  the  minds  of 
the  citizens  of  Cincinnati,  sufficient  to  cause  them  to 
raise  a  fund  for  the  establishment  of  an  art  museum  in 
the  city,  and  thereby  the  great  object  for  which  the 
*  Women's  Art  Museum  Association '  has  been  work- 
ing for  the  last  three  years  is  accomplished,  the  trus- 
tees recommend  to  the  Association  to  close  the  rooms, 
suspend  their  ordinary  work,  and  preserve  for  future 
use  the  funds  now  in  hand. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  95 

"  They  further  recommend  that  the  Association  use 
every  effort  to  increase  the  funds  now  in  hand,  with  a 
view  to  a  suitable  representation  of  the  Association  in 
the  collections  of  the  museum. 

"As  soon  as  the  permanent  museum  organization 
shall  be  formed,  we  propose  to  transfer  to  it  our  loans 
(subject  to  the  wishes  of  their  owners),  the  gifts  that 
have  been  made  to  us,  the  furniture  of  these  rooms, 
including  tables,  and  chairs,  curtains,  window-shades, 
carpets,  modeling-stools,  easels,  drawing-tables,  and 
cases. 

"  Should  the  permanent  organization  be  made 
within  a  reasonable  time,  it  seems  desirable  that  our 
effects  should  be  transferred  as  now  arranged.  Should 
it  be  delayed  beyond  the  point  of  convenience  to 
us,  involving  the  expense  of  care  and  attendance 
here  for  some  time,  it  would  become  necessary  to  pack 
and  store  them. 

"  This  plan  does  not  involve  the  dissolution  of  the 
Association  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  proposes  to  fulfill  the 
requirements  of  our  incorporation  by  the  holding  of 
quarterly  meetings,  when  the  Auditing  Committee 
shall  report,  and  annual  meetings  for  the  election  of 
trustees  and  officers.  The  bonds,  which  have  been 
carefully  kept,  may  be  increased  by  the  annual  mem- 
bership dues,  and  such  other  means  as  the  Association 
may  decide  upon. 

"  The  sum  of  money  which  we  have  is  in  itself  suffi- 
cient to  enable  us  to  present  to  the  museum  one  object, 
or  more  than  one,  of  genuine  interest,  which  shall  be 
valuable  to  the  museum,  and  constitute  a  souvenir  of 
our  fidelity  to  a  good  cause.  It  may  be  increased  by 
subscriptions  from  women,  or  in  other  ways." 


96  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

Such  a  plan  will  form  a  bond  of  union,  which  will 
hold  us  together  as  an  Association,  give  us  an  object 
worthy  of  our  interest  and  efforts,  and  should,  if 
steadily  pursued,  result  in  our  being  able  to  present 
to  the  museum  something  which  will,  through  all 
time,  link  the  name  of  the  "  Women's  Art  Museum 
Association,"  and  the  memory  of  the  women  of  Cin- 
cinnati with  that  institution. 

At  this  meeting  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Plimpton  to  one 
of  the  ladies  was  read,  from  which  the  following  is 
taken  : 

Jan.  7,  1881. 
Dear  Mrs.  Perry : 

.  .  .  Allow  me  in  this  letter  to  present  another 
matter  of  mutual  interest,  namely,  regarding  the 
drawings  and  sketches  of  Lessing.  My  dear  Prof 
Gude,  now  professor  in  the  Meisterschule  of  Berlin, 
wrote  me  a  few  days  ago  concerning  them,  saying  they 
were  for  sale,  and  asking  me  to  speak  of  them  to 
whom  they  would  probably  be  interesting.  I  will  in- 
close the  letter,  which  will  explain  itself.  Its  being 
in  part  private,  will  not  be  of  moment.  It  occurred 
to  me  that  it  would  be  a  most  desirable  thing  if  some 
of  these  treasures  could  find  their  way  into  our  future 
museum.  I  know  Prof.  Crude  would  make  the  best 
selections  for  me,  and  certainly  for  this  more  important 
purpose;  such  rare  opportunities  do  not  occur  every 
day,  and  with  my  intense  love  for  Lessing's  work  I  am 
burning  with  anxiety  to  have  some  of  them  where 
they  can  be  enjoyed  by  our  Cincinnati  people.  Shall 
we  speak  of  this  matter  again  ? 

Yours  most  truly, 

C.  A.  PLIMPTON. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  97 

The  subject  was  left  to  the  individual  discretion  of 
the  members,  it  not  being  deemed  advisable  to  appro- 
priate any  of  the  funds  of  the  Association  for  that 
purpose. 

The  election  of  trustees  and  officers  for  the  ensuing 
year,  1881,  resulted  as  follows: 

Trustees. 

Mrs.  A.  F.  PERRY  (ex-officio), 
"    JOHN  SHILLITO, 
"    !N".  L.  ANDERSON, 
"    JOHN  T.  PERRY, 
"    M.  E.  INGALLS, 
"   L.  B.  HARRISON, 
"    THEODORE  STANWOOD, 

"     W.  P.  HlILBERT, 
"     A.  S.  WlNSLOW, 

"    M.  F.  FORCE, 
"    H.  C.  WHITMAN, 
"    P.  MALLON. 

Officers. 

Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY,  President. 
Mrs.  M.  F.  FORCE,  1st  Vice- President. 
Mrs.  P.  MALLON,  2d  " 

Mrs.  H.  C.  WHITMAN,  Treasurer. 
Miss  ELIZABETH  H.  APPLETON,  Recording  Sec'y. 
Miss  JANE  C.  NEAVE,  Corresponding  Sec'y. 

The  sequel,  so  interesting  and  important,  to  Mrs. 
Plimpton's  letter  of  January  7,  1881,  may  as  well  be 
given  here,  although  by  doing  so,  the  event  is  antici- 
pated by  a  few  months  : 


98  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

CINCINNATI,  Aug.  10,  1881. 
My  Dear  Mrs.  Perry  : 

.  .  .  As  to  the  Lessing  sketches,  I  receive  your 
congratulations  with  pleasure,  since  I  know  they  are 
most  hearty.  Mr.  Longworth  was  so  graceful  as  to 
say  in  a  private  note  to  me,  that  as  I  had  been  the 
first  one  to  put  the  idea  of  the  gift  to  the  museum 
into  his  head,  he  had  intended  to  say  nothing  about  it 
to  any  one  until  he  had  given  me  a  pleasant  surprise 
on  asking  me  out  to  his  house  "  to  see  something." 
As  it  was,  it  leaked  out  through  the  Custom  House 
before  they  got  here.  I  was  none  the  less  delighted, 
however,  as  you  may  well  believe.  .  .  . 

Yours  sincerely, 

C.  A.  PLIMPTON. 

At  the  end  of  the  first  year's  lease  of  the  rooms  in 
the  Exposition  building  the  following  note  was  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  Springer : 

CINCINNATI,  Jan.  5, 1881. 
My  Dear  Mrs.  Perry  : 

I  inclose  you  a  receipt  for  the  rent  of  the  rooms 
occupied  by  the  Women's  Art  Museum  Association 
up  to  the  1st  inst.,  which  completes  the  engagement  I 
n\ade  with  Mrs.  Hulbert. 

Wishing  you  continual  success  with  the  great  un- 
dertaking you  have  in  charge,  I  beg  leave  to  sign 
myself, 

Very  truly, 

Your  friend, 

R.  E.  SPRINGER. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  99 

The  organization  of  the  "  Cincinnati  Museum  As- 
sociation "  was  not  made  till  March,  1881.  This  left 
our  Association  with  somewhat  unsettled  plans  during 
the  winter  of  1880-1.  The  year's  rent  of  the  rooms 
occupied  by  us  ended  with  the  year,  and  was  renewed 
from  month  to  month  in  the  hope  that  they  might  be 
transferred  with  our  purchases,  gifts,  loans,  furniture, 
etc.,  to  the  permanent  organization,  for  the  temporary 
uses  of  the  museum,  till  the  museum  building  should 
be  ready.  In  order  to  inform  ourselves  of  the  wishes 
and  plans  of  the  gentlemen,  a  conference  with  a  few 
of  them  was  invited.  Some  correspondence  took  place 
— here  given — and  mutually  satisfactory  arrangements 
were  made : 

BURNET  HOUSE,  CINCINNATI,  Jan.  24, 1881. 
Mrs.  A.  F.  Perry,  Pres't: 

MY  DEAR  MADAM — I  duly  received  your  report  of 
the  "Women's  Art  Museum,"  as  also  an  invitation  to 
meet  the  trustees  at  3  o'clock  to-day,  and  regret  that 
I  am  not  well  enough  to  attend. 

I  am  sorry  to  hear  that  you  contemplate  closing 
your  rooms  at  the  Exposition  buildings,  believing  that 
they  should  be  kept  open  until  the  completion  of  the 
"  Museum,"  which,  I  trust,  will  be  within  two  years ; 
and  that  you  may  be  enabled  to  keep  them  open  I 
would  suggest  that  a  fund  be  raised  for  that  purpose 
toward  which  I  will  be  one  of  twenty  to  make  up  the 
amount  necessary. 

Very  respectful  I}7, 

C.  W.  WEST. 


100  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

CINCINNATI,  Jan.  "24,  1881. 
My  .Dear  Mrs.  Perry  : 

I  find  I  can  not  be  at  your  meeting  this  p.  M.,  and 
therefore  send  you  this.  I  hope  you  will  keep  going 
an  til*  the  permanent  museum  is  organized.  If  it  is  a 
question  of  funds,  I  will  cheerfully  help  my  share. 

Yours  with  respect, 

M.  E.  INQALLS. 


238  MT.  AUBURN,  Jan.  25, 1881. 
Mr.  Chas.  W.  West: 

DEAR  SIR — In  deference  to  your  opinion,  and  that 
of  Mr.  Ingalls,  and  Mr.  Rufus  King,  that  the  rooms  of 
the  Association  should  he  continued,  the  trustees  have 
suspended  for  a  few  days  their  arrangements  for  pack- 
ing and  storing  their  goods. 

They  resolved  at  their  meeting  yesterday  to  invite 
a  committee  of  gentlemen,  to  consist  of  yourself,  Mr. 
Ingalls,  Mr.  Dexter,  and  Mr.  Hoadly,  to  further  con- 
sider the  proposition  of  yourself  and  Mr.  Ingalls  to 
share  in  the  expense  of  keeping  the  rooms,  asking 
you  to  report  to  us  your  decision  as  early  as  Friday 
A.  M.,  of  this  week. 

The  ladies  of  the  Association  have  lost  no  interest 
in  the  Museum,  but  the  object  of  their  organization 
was  accomplished  when  your  great  generosity  and 
that  of  the  citizens  assured  it.  We  do  not  doubt  that 
we  could  raise  the  money,  as  heretofore,  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  rooms,  but  what  we  have  done  has  been  at 
the  expense  of  great  personal  devotion,  which  we  find 
impossible,  consistently  with  other  duties,  longer  to 
bestow. 


OF   CINCINNATI.  101 

Since  the  money  was  raised  for  the  Museum,  we 
have  simply  kept  the  rooms  open  in  the  expectation 
from  month  to  month,  that  the  permanent  organiza- 
tion would  he  formed,  and  we  could  then  transfer  to 
it  such  articles  as  belong  to  us. 

ISfot  wishing  to  continue  longer,  we  expect  to  end 
our  lease  with  this  month.  Should  the  gentlemen  de- 
cide to  keep  open  the  rooms  for  the  reception  of  such 
articles  or  collections  as  may  be  given  to  the  Museum 
before  the  building  is  ready,  it  would  give  us  great 
pleasure  to  transfer  them  as  they  are.  Our  furniture, 
case-s,  curtains,  etc.,  while  not  expensive,  are  suitable, 
and  are  all  the  situation  requires. 

In  the  hope  of  hearing  from  you  on  Friday  morn- 
ing, 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  yours, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY, 

President. 

The  following  note,  without  date,  was  probably 
written  within  a  few  days  of  the  letter  of  Mr.  West 
which  is  dated  January  24,  1881  : 

To  the  Trustees  of  the  Women's  Art  Museum  Association: 
As  a  grateful  recognition  of  your  labors,  and  for  the 
purpose  of  saving  to  the  proposed  Art  Museum  Asso- 
ciation, when  organized,  the  opportunity  of  taking 
the  transfer  of  the  apartments  now  occupied  by  you 
in  the  Music  Hall  building,  together  with  the  collection 
of  the  objects  of  art  which  you  have  formed  with  so 
much  skill  and  care,  and  the  furniture,  which  we  un- 
derstand is  yours,  the  undersigned  agree  to  assume 
and  pay  the  rent  and  current  expenses  as  now  ap- 


102  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

pointed  for  one  month  from  February  1st,  with  the 
right  to  extend  the  arrangement  from  month  to 
month  not  exceeding  six  months.  If  this  proposition 
be  accepted,  we  will  thank  you  to  arrange  with  Mrs. 
Lord  to  continue  her  superintendence  accordingly, 
and  to  advise  us  of  the  amount  necessary  for  reim- 
bursement of  the  rent  and  expenses  accruing.  As  to 
the  furniture,  please  inform  us  what  are  your  wishes. 

Very  respectfully, 

C.  W.  WEST,  RUFUS  KING, 

JULIUS  DEXTER,  R.  R.  SPRINGER, 

DAVID  SINTON,  GEO.  HOADLY, 

AARON  F.  PERRY. 

On  January  29,  1881,  the  communications  made  in 
the  preceding  letters  were  considered  at  a  meeting  of 
trustees,  and  on  motion  of  Mrs.  Winslow,  seconded 
by  Mrs.  Hulbert,  resolved,  that  these  rooms  be  kept 
open  at  the  expense  of  the  Association  ;  also,  resolved, 
on  motion  that  the  thanks  of  the  Association  be  sent 
to  the  gentlemen  for  their  offer  to  meet  the  expense  of 
the  care  of  the  rooms. 

The  decision  was  conveyed  in  the  following  note: 

238  MT.  AUBURN,  Jan.  29,  1881. 

Messrs.  Eufus  King,  E.  E.  Springer,  Geo.  Hoadly,  C. 
W.  West,  Julius  .Dexter,  David  Sinton,  and  Aaron 
F.  Perry  : 

In  deference  to  your  judgment  that  the  rooms  of  the 
W.  A.  M.  A.  should  be  kept  open  for  a  limited  time, 
emphasized  by  your  generous  offer  to  assume  the 
expense  of  continuing  them  for  a  few  months,  till  the 
permanent  organization  shall  be  formed,  the  trustees, 


OF    CINCINNATI.  103 

at  a  meeting  held  to-day,  recojisidered  their  recent  de- 

O  v  ' 

termination  to  close  them,  and  resolved  to  keep  them 
open  till  they  can  transfer  them  to  the  Museum  or- 
ganization. 

Appreciating  your  generous  offer,  and  declining  it 
with  thanks,  I  am,  on  behalf  of  the  trustees, 
Yaurs,  very  respectfully, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY, 

President. 

At  a  meeting  of  stockholders,  held  March  8,  1881, 
for  a  permanent  organization  of  the  Cincinnati  Mu- 
seum Association,  after  the  election  of  trustees, 
Messrs.  Goshorn,  Galbreath,  and  Tatum  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  confer  with  the  Women's  Art 
Museum  Association,  and  to  report  what  steps  shoftld 
be  taken  with  regard  to  their  property,  which  they 
have  offered  to  the  Art  Museum.  In  pursuance  of  a 
resolution  of  the  Women's  Art  Museum  Association, 
January  10,  this  year,  and  in  accordance  with  a  pro- 
vision of  its  constitution,  the  trustees,  on  the  22nd  of 
last  month,  submitted  a  schedule  of  its  property,  con- 
sisting of  gifts  and  purchases,  including  the  furniture 
of  the  rooms  occupied  by  the  Association  in  Exposi- 
tion Building,  together  with  a  proposition  to  transfer 
them  as  a  gift  to  the  Cincinnati  Museum.  In  re- 
sponse, the  following  notes  were  received  : 

CINCINNATI,  March  25,  1881. 
Dear  Mrs.  Perry  : 

Our  board  to-day  accepted  the  gift  of  your  Associa- 
tion, and  empowered  our  committee  to  receive  the  ob- 
jects and  arrange  for  the  proper  care  of  them.  We 


104  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

shall  be  happy  to  meet  you  and  your  associates  next 
Tuesday,  at  11  A.  M.,  when  the  transfer  can  be  com- 
pleted. Yours  truly, 

A.  T.  GOSHORN. 


CINCINNATI,  March  25,  1881. 

Mrs.  A.  F. Perry,  President  Women's  Art  Museum  As- 
sociation, Cincinnati: 

MADAM — I  am  instructed  by  the  trustees  of  the  Cin- 
cinnati Museum  Association  to  acknowledge  their  re- 
ceipt of  the  offer  of  your  Association  to  transfer  to 
them  your  collection  of  art  objects,  and  your  furni- 
ture, and  also  such  articles  as  had  been  loaned  to  you, 
subject  to  the  conditions  imposed  by  their  owners. 
The  trustees  have  considered  the  offer,  and  accept  it. 
They  desire  me  to  express  to  you  and  your  associates 
their  appreciation  and  gratitude  for  the  good  work 
you  have  done,  and  for  the  great  help  your  efforts 
have  afforded  in  securing  the  establishment  of  a  per- 
manent Art  Museum. 

Very  respectfully, 

JULIUS  DEXTER, 

Secretary  C.  M.  A. 

The  transfer  was  completed  on  one  of  the  last  days 
of  March,  1881,  by  the  following  formula : 

The  Museum  Association  of  Cincinnati  having  sig- 
nified its  willingness  to  accept  the  articles  mentioned 
in  the  above  inventory,  and  to  take  immediate  charge 
of  the  same,  for  the  purposes  of  said  Museum,  the 
"  "Women's  Art  Museum  Association,"  by  the  action 


OF   CINCINNATI.  105 

of  its  trustees,  duly  authorized,  does  hereby  transfer 
and  deliver  said  articles  to  the  trustees  of  the  Cincin- 
nati Museum. 
ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY,       ELIZABETH  K.  WHITMAN, 

President,  Treasurer, 

FRANCIS  F.  FORCE,  CAROLINE  M.  HULBERT, 

Vice- President.     SUSAN  L.  WINSLOW. 


106 


OPENING  TO  THE  PUBLIC  OF  THE  TEMPORARY  MUSEUM 

EOOMS  BY  THE  TRUSTEES. 

The  Rooms  of  the  "  Cincinnati  Museum  Associa- 
tion" were  on  the  evening  of  Feb.  10,  1882,  opened 
for  a  view  of  the  Lessing  drawings  and  studies,  by 
card  invitation  of  the  Trustees.  For  this  occasion 
this  "  Association  "  prepared  an  illustration  of  pot- 
tery, including  pieces  from  the  Mound  Builders ;  and 
the  "  Tucker  China  " — thought  to  show  the  second 
attempt  to  make  porcelain  in  the  United  States,  by 
Wm.  Ellis  Tucker,  at  Philadelphia,  1816-30.  The  ex- 
hibit was,  however,  chiefly  devoted  to  the  decorated 
work  of  Cincinnati;  in  the  cases  were  found  the 
earliest  procurable  specimens  of  decoration,  overglaze 
on  porcelain,  done  here  in  1874-6;  the  first  success  in 
blue  color  underglaze,  1877;  the  h'rst  success  in 
"  Limoges  "  work,  1877 ;  and  representative  pieces  of 
the  same  through  preceding  years  to  date ;  the  earli- 
est underglaze  color  work  in  the  "Ben net"  style, 
1878 ;  representative  specimens  of  the  series  of 
thirty  inch  vases  made  at  Hamilton  Road  Pottery, 
1879,  and  decorated  by  ladies  of  Cincinnati ;  the  very 
interesting  work  in  pate-sur-pate,  relief  and  inlaid 
clays  ;  incised  work  ;  the  work  of  the  Pottery  Club  of 
"Rockwood  Pottery,"  then  in  the  second  year  of  its 
existence,  and  "  Wheatley  Pottery.  "  The  collection 
was  made  by  purchase,  gifts  and  loans,  and  showed 
an  accomplishment  that  might  well  cause  wonder  and 


OF    CINCINNATI.  107 

admiration.  Larger  collections  of  Cincinnati  pottery 
work  had  been  shown,  but  none  of  so  much  historical 
interest,  and  none,  as  a  whole,  of  so  much  elegance. 
The  little  stone  China  plate  in  underglaze  blue  color, 
of  1877,  marked  an  era  in  the  decoration  of  pottery  in 
Cincinnati,  the  thought  of  which  produced  emo- 
tions in  the  minds  of  those  who  understood  its  im- 
portance. 

In  the  course  of  the  evening  an  announcement  was 
made  by  the  Trustees  of  an  additional  gift  from  Mr. 
Chas.  W.  West  of  a  second  sum  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars  for  the  Museum !  This  was 
given  as  an  "  endowment  fund, "  interest  only  to  be 
used  "  for  such  purposes  as  the  Board  of  Trustees  may 
from  time  to  time  deem  necessary  to  support  and 
maintain  the  Museum,  and  to  add  to  the  property." 

Fifth  annual  meeting  held  Feb.  24,  1882.  The  fol- 
lowing Trustees  and  Officers  were  elected  : 

Trustees. 

MRS.  AARON  F.  PERRY,  (ex-Officio), 
"     JOHN  T.  PERRY, 
"    M.  E.  INGALLS, 
"     Q.  A.  KEITH, 
"     THEODORE  STANWOOD, 
"     W.P.  HULBERT, 
"    M.  F.  FORCE, 
"     H.  C.  WHITMAN, 
"    P.  MALLON, 
"    FREDERICK  Gr.  HUNTINGTON, 

"      A.  S.  WlNSLOW, 

"    JOHN  SHILLITO. 


108  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

Officers. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY,  President. 

"     M.  F.  FORCE,  1st.  Vice-president. 

"     P.  MALLON,      2d.  " 

"     H.  C.  WHITMAN,   Treasurer. 
Miss  E.  H.  APPLETON,  Recording  Secretary. 

"     JANE  C.  NEAVE,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

From  the  Trustees  Report  to  the  Association  the 
following  extracts  are  taken  : 

"  When  the  Organization  of  the  Cincinnati  Mu- 
seum Association  was  perfected,  and  the  Trustees  had 
accepted  our  unimportant  gift,  it  may  have  been  sup- 
posed that  our  work  was  done.  The  Museum  was  as- 
sured. To  the  Building  Fund  is  now  added,  thanks 
again  to  Mr.  West,  a  generous  endowment  for  its 
support. 

"These great  results  should  not  lessen,  but  increase 
our  interest. 

"From  the  report  of  the  Secretary,  you  have 
learned  that  a  meeting  was  held  to  consider  the  fu- 
ture course  of  the  Association.  The  departments  of 
the  Museum  were  not  tilled,  and  it  seemed  a  pleasant 
idea  that  the  women  of  Cincinnati  should  contribute 
to  one  of  them.  After  careful  consideration  of  the 
subject,  the  specialty  of  pottery  was  selected  as  one 
upon  which  the  choice  of  a  large  number  of  women 
could  be  united. 

"  Such  a  collection  of  pottery  as  would  creditably 
represent  home  work,  was  made  for  the  occasion  of 
the  opening  of  the  Museum  on  Feb.  10,  1882.  .  .  . 
If  the  interest  of  the  ladies  should  carry  them  beyond 
this  accomplishment,  an  historic  representation  of  the 


OF    CINCINNATI.  109 

potters'  art  of  other  nations  presents  a  subject 
worthy  of  our  careful  study,  and  will  require  the  de- 
votion of  time  and  means.  This  department  will  be 
an  important  one  in  the  Museum,  and  will  undoubt- 
edly in  time  be  filled  ;  but  whether  by  the  women  of 
Cincinnati,  will  depend  upon  the  interest  we  shall 
bring  to  bear  upon  it.  " 

Cincinnati,  April  3,  1882. 
Dear  Mrs.  Perry: 

I  was  very  sorry  not  to  be  at  the  Association 
meeting  on  Monday — one  particular  reason  being  that 
I  had  an  axe  to  grind. 

The  twoRiefstahl  drawings  are  so  fine,  and  one  so 
very  remarkable,  that  I  was  anxious  to  speak  to  the  la- 
dies about  them,  hoping  they  might  help  me  to  dis- 
pose of  them.  I  am  determined  if  possible  to  get  one 
bought  by  some  private  individual  for  the  Museum. 
It  contains  many  figures,  and  over  seventy  faces,  each 
perfectly  characteristic.  Mr.  Longworth  thinks  it 
quite  worthy  of  a  place  in  the  Museum,  and  advised 
me  to  get  some  one  to  buy  it  for  that  purpose.  £Tow, 
before  I  write  invitations  to  persons  to  come  and  see 
it,  I  want  to  find  out  who  would  buy  for  the  Museum, 
as  I  should  not  like  to  have  it  bagged  for  somebody's 
dark  parlor  instead.  I  wish  you  and  Miss  Appleton 
could  see  it,  and  help  me  to  my  object. 

I  am  yours  sincerely, 

C.  A.  PLIMPTON. 

These  exquisite  drawings  were  both  secured  for  the 
Museum,  purchased  and  given  by  Mr.  Joseph  Long- 
worth. 


110  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

The  sixth  annual  meeting  of  the  Association,  held 
Jan.  9, 1883,  resulted  in  the  following  election : 

Trustees. 

Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY  (ex-officio'), 
"     JOHN  SHILLITO, 
"     M.E.  INGALLS, 
"     Q.  A.  KEITH, 

"      A.  S.  WlNSLOW, 

"     M.  F.  FORCE, 
"     H.  C.  WHITMAN, 

"      F.  Gr.  HUNTINGTON, 

"  THEODORE  STANWOOD, 

"  L.  B.  HARRISON, 

"  O.  J.  WILSON, 

"  LOUISE  N.  ANDERSON. 

Officers. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY,  President. 

"     M.  F.  FORCE,  1st  Vice- President. 

"    FRED.  G.  HUNTINGTON,  2d  " 

"     H.  C.  WHITMAN,  Treasurer. 
Miss  E.  H.  APPLETON,  Recording  Secretary. 

"     JANE  C.  NEAVE,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

After  the  election,  the  Secretary,  Miss  Appleton, 
read  her  report,  in  which  she  gave  a  list  of  the  gifts, 
purchases,  and  loans,  which  the  Association  trans- 
ferred to  the  Cincinnati  Museum  Association,  as  "a 
better  endowed  and  more  useful  organization  for  an 
Art  Museum." 

11  Since  the  transfer,  the  work  of  the  Association 
has  been  restricted  to  the  collection  of  an  historical  se- 


OF   CINCINNATI.  Ill 

ries  of  the  pottery  of  the  United  States,  which,  as  ob- 
tained, has  been  passed  over  to  the  Museum  Associa- 
tion." 

In  January,  1883,  the  attention  of  the  Association 
was  called,  by  the  trustees  of  the  museum,  to  a  collec- 
tion of  lace,  which  they  were  invited  to  purchase  for 
the  museum.  The  collection  had  been  prepared 
through  the  instrumentality  of  Sir  Philip  Cunlitfe 
Owen.  A  descriptive  catalogue  had  been  received, 
which  comprised  one  hundred  and  twenty  sorts,  or 
numbers,  including  Italian  of  the  fifteenth,  sixteenth, 
and  seventeenth  centuries'  work,  among  which  were 
"  rose  point,"  "flat  venise  point,"  "point  de  neige," 
"  Genoese"  laces,  and  other  varieties;  Spanish  of  the 
seventeenth  century;  Belgian,  including  Mechlin  and 
Brussels,  of  the  seventeenth  century;  Flemish  of  the 
eighteenth  century;  Dutch  of  the  eighteenth  century; 
French  of  the  period  of  Louis  XV ;  "  point  d'Alen- 
con;"  "Valenciennes"  of  the  eighteenth  century,  and 
others  too  numerous  for  mention  here. 

An  Association  meeting  was  held  January  27, 1883, 
and  the  subject  carefully  considered. 

To  make  the  purchase  would  divert  the  funds  from 
the  specialty  to  which  they  had  been  set  apart:  but 
lace,  as  well  as  pottery,  is  attractive  to  the  tastes  of 
women,  and  to  take  it  was  a  temptation. 

Its  value  and  merit  as  a  collection  had  the  indorse- 
ment of  the  director  of  the  South  Kensington  Mu- 
seum, whose  knowledge  and  judgment  ought  to  be 
unquestionable  in  such  a  matter,  and  the  ladies  felt 
that  they  could  have  no  better  guarantee  in  any  case 


112  WOMEN'S    ART   MUSEUM    ASSOCIATION 

of  a  purchase.  The  only  question  seemed  to  be, 
whether  the  money  now  in  the  treasury  should  be 
used,  or  whether  a  special  fund  should  be  raised  for  the 
purpose.  It  was,  however,  without  much  discussion, 
decided  to  devote  the  means  on  hand,  and  to  make 
the  purchase  for  the  museum. 

General  Goshorn  was  present  at  the  opening  of  the 
meeting,  and  recommended  the  purchase  on  behalf  of 
the  museum  trustees.  He  also  stated  that  a  very  val- 
uable collection  of  textiles,  sent  to  the  trustees  on  ap- 
probation, will  be  opened  to  the  public  early  in  Feb- 
ruary. 

The  letter  given  below  is  a  propos  of  the  subject : 

South  Kensington  Museum,  June  9,  1883. 
Mrs.  ELIZABETH  "W".  PERRY, 

Pres't  Women's  Art  Museum  Association, 

Cincinnati,  U.  S.  A.: 

I  have  received  from  Mr.  Goshorn  the  draft  for 
£262  3s.,  in  payment  for  the  collection  of  lace  which 
I  had  the  honor  and  pleasure  to  secure  for  the  new 
museum  of  Cincinnati. 

Allow  me  herewith  to  tender  you,  as  the  president 
of  the  Women's  Art  Museum  Association,  my  sin- 
cerest  congratulations  on  this  acquisition  of  a  collec- 
tion well  worthy  a  place  in  your  new  museum. 

The  collection  of  textiles  is  now  probably  being  ex- 
hibited there,  and  your  Association,  and  the  people  of 
Cincinnati,  generally,  will  have  had  an  opportunity  of 
judging  for  themselves  of  the  high  value  of  this  col- 
lection, especially  at  a  time  when  such  specimens  are 
becoming  more  rare  and  more  expensive  every  day. 

Trusting  that  the  lovers  of  art  in  Cincinnati  will 


OF   CINCINNATI.  113 

not  let  slip  this  opportunity  to  greatly  enrich  their 
museum  at  very  moderate  cost, 

Believe  me,  my  dear  madam, 

Sincerely  yours, 

PHILIP  CUNLIFFE  OWEN. 

The  succeeding  letter  shows  that  opportunities  for 
making  purchases  for  the  museum  were  not  wanting : 

South  Kensington  Museum,  July  27, 1883. 
To  THE  PRES'T  OF  THE  LADIES'  ART  Mus.  ASSOCIATION  : 

Dear  Madam — I  have  requested  my  esteemed  friend, 
the  director  of  the  Cincinnati  Museum  Association,  to 
consult  with  you  with  reference  to  a  special  collection 
which  has  taken  years  to  make,  and  which  is  specially 
applicable  to  women's  work. 

From  the  description  of  this  collection,  which  is 
given  briefly  in  the  accompanying  translation  of  a 
letter  from  M.  Fulgence,  you  will  observe  the  nature 
of  the  collection.  This  will  be  found  explained  more 
in  detail  in  the  list 

M'me  Fulgence,  who  is  a  remarkable  expert  in  all 
these  matters,  has  for  many  years  past  accompanied 
her  husband  in  all  parts  of  Europe,  and  after  three 
years  this  remarkable  and  instructive  collection  was 
prepared. 

As  M.  Fulgence  explains,  each  specimen  is  mounted 
on  a  uniform-sized  board,  covered  with  black  cotton 
velvet  and  labeled.  It  is  calculated  to  give  examples 
of  needle-work,  and  of  that  needle-work  of  the  past 
now  being  brought  into  fashion.  Indeed,  Messrs. 
Worth,  of  Paris,  wished  to  acquire  this  collection. 

It  is  more  than  five  years  since  that  I  advised  M. 


114  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

Fulgence,  and  M'me  Fulgence,  to  turn  their  attention 
to  forming  with  method  a  chronological  series  of  art 
needle-work,  as  illustrated  by  choice  and  rare  speci- 
mens of  work.  This  collection  conies  specially  under 
your  part  of  the  great  art  industrial  work  which  is  be- 
ing so  energetically  carried  on,  and  with  such  marked 
success,  in  your  city. 

I  remain,  dear  madame, 

Very  faithfully  yours, 

PHILIP  CUNLIFFE  OWEN. 

To  this  the  following  reply  was  sent: 

Petoskey,  Michigan,  August  26,  1883. 
Sir  PHILIP  CUNLIFFE  OWEN, 

Director  South.  Kensington  Museum,  London: 

Dear  Sir — Your  favor  of  July  27th,  addressed  to 
me  under  cover  to  General  Goshorn,in  which  you  rec- 
ommend to  the  attention  of  the  "Women's  Art  Mu- 
seum Association  of  Cincinnati "  the  collection  of 
artistic  needle-work  made  by  M.  and  M'rne  Fulgence, 
has  been  forwarded  to  me  at  this  place. 

I  have  examined  the  catalogue  of  the  collection, 
and  do  not  doubt  that  it  would  prove  an  interesting 
and  valuable  addition  to  the  Cincinnati  Museum. 

The  nature  of  the  collection  is,  however,  foreign  to 
the  specialty  to  which  we  have  resolved  to  devote  our 
future  efforts  in  reference  to  the  museum,  and  I  am, 
therefore,  obliged,  on  behalf  of  the  Association,  to  say 
that  we  are  unable  to  consider  the  question  of  its 
purchase.  With  great  respect,  yours, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY,  President. 


OF    CINCINNATI.  115 

The  seventh  annual  meeting  of  the  Association  was 
held  March  18,  1884,  when  the  board  of  trustees  and 
officers  of  1883  were  re-elected. 

From  the  Report  of  Trustees  the  following  is  taken : 

.  .  .  "No  efforts  have  been  made  to  increase 
the  funds  of  the  Association  beyond  the  annual  mem- 
bership dues.  The  purchase  of  the  collection  of  lace 
was  the  only  one  of  much  importance  in  amount. 
The  purchasing  committee  have  added  to  the  collec- 
tion of  the  pottery  of  the  United  States  a  few  repre- 
sentative pieces  of  1883.  .  .  . 

"  Within  a  few  days  we  have  placed  in  the  museum 
fifty-two  pieces  of  Etruscan  pottery.  This  valuable 
and  interesting  collection  came  from  Signer  Augusto 
Castellani,  of  Rome,  and  is  the  fulfillment  of  an 
offered  gift  from  him  to  Mrs.  0.  J.  Wilson,  one  of  our 
trustees,  made  several  years  ago  during  a  visit  of  Mrs. 
Wilson. to  Rome,  and  intended  for  the  future  Museum 
of  Cincinnati.  The  collection  is  varied  and  repre- 
sentative in  character,  comprising  examples  of  most 
of  the  well-known  articles  and  shapes  made  and  used 
by  these  ancient  people.  The  gift  is  important  and 
interesting  in  its  nature,  and  derives  additional  value 
and  authority  from  the  distinguished  source  whence 
it  comes.  With  the  gift  of  Signor  Castellani  came  a 
section  of  Mosaic  pavement,  dug  from  the  ruins  of  the 
Roman  Campagna,  from  Mr.  D wight  Benton. 

"The  trustees  recommend  an  adherence,  during  the 
coming  year  to  the  policy  adopted  by  the  Association 
of  devoting  its  current  means  to  increase  the  museum 
collection  of  pottery,  including  tiles,  of  our  own  country. 
In  their  judgment,  the  collection  should  be  made  as 
broad  and  representative  of  this  growing  industry  in 


116  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

the  United  States  as  can  be  conveniently  clone.  It  is 
only  by  securing  examples  of  current  work  that  an 
historic  collection  can  be  easily  secured. 

"They  also  recommend  that  the  ultimate  object 
which  the  Association  has  had  in  view  (the  placing  in 
the  museum  by  the  women  of  Cincinnati  a  collection 
of  foreign  pottery)  be  still  further  deferred  till  circum- 
stances shall  seem  to  favor,  more  than  at  present,  an 
effort  to  raise  so  large  a  sum  of  money  as  will  be  nec- 
essary for  that  purpose." 

Annual  meeting  of  Association  in  the  museum 
rooms,  Exposition  building,  January  12,  1885.  Trus- 
tees and  officers  for  1885  : 

Trustees. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY  (ex-officio). 

"     A.  S.  WlNSLOW, 

"  M.  F.  FORCE, 

"  THEO.  STANWOOD, 

"  H.  C.  WHITMAN, 

"  FRED.  G.  HUNTINGTON, 

"     W.  P.  HULBERT, 

"  JOHN  SHILLITO, 

"  Q.  A.  KEITH, 

"  O.  J.  WILSON, 

"  M.  E.  INGALLS, 

"  LOUISE  N".  ANDERSON, 


OF   CINCINNATI.  117 

Officers. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY,  President. 

u    M.  F.  FORCE,  1st  Vice- President. 

"    FRED.  G-.  HUNTINGTON,  2d  Vice-Pres't. 

"    H.  C.  WHITMAN,  Treasurer. 
Miss  ELIZABETH  H.  APPLETON,  Secretary. 

"    JANE  C.  I^EAVE,  Corresponding  Secretary. 


118  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 


During  the  summer  of  1885  it  was  intimated  to  the 
Association  that  an  exchange  might  be  effected, tt  by 
which  a  representation  of  the  pottery  of  the  Pueblo 
Indians  could  be  secured  from  the  United  States 
National  Museum  at  Washington,  for  the  museum  in 
Cincinnati,  for  an  equivalent  in  Cincinnati  decorative 
pottery.  It  was  understood  that  the  pottery  from 
Cincinnati  should  represent,  not  the  work  of  amateurs, 
but  of  an  established  pottery.  The  committee  on 
purchase  selected  about  fifty  dollars  worth  of  repre- 
sentative pieces  of  "  Rookwood,"  for  which  were  sent 
us  in  exchange  an  extremely  well  selected  representa- 
tion (thirty-two  pieces)  from  the  Pueblos  of  Zuni, 
Moqui,  and  Acoma  ;  the  Santa  Clara  Indians,  and  the 
Indians  of  Chiriqui,  near  Panama.  These  pieces  were 
at  once  offered  to  and  accepted  by  the  museum. 

Annual  meeting  of  Association,  January  11,  1886. 
Trustees  and  officers  for  the  year: 

Trustees. 

Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY  (ex-q/ficio), 
"    A.  S.  WINSI.OW, 
"    M.  F.  FORCE, 
"    THEO.  STANWOOD, 
"    H.  C.  WHITMAN, 
"   FRED.  G.  HUNTINGTON, 
"    0.  J.  WILSON, 


OF   CINCINNATI.  119 

Mrs.  LOUISE  N.  ANDERSON, 
"    W.  P.  HULBERT, 
"    JOHN  SHILLITO, 
"    M.  E.  INGALLS, 
"    W.  W.  SEELY. 

Officers. 

Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY,  President. 

"    M.  F.  FORCE,  1st  Vice- President. 

"    F.  Gr.  HUNTINGTON,  2d  Vice- President. 

"    H.  C.  WHITMAN,  Treasurer. 
Miss  ELIZABETH  Gr.  APPLETON,  Secretary. 

u    JANE  C.  NEAVE,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

At  a  meeting  of  trustees,  January  4,  1886,  it  was 
unanimously  Resolved,  on  motion  of  Mrs.  0.  J.  Wilson, 
"  that  it  will  be  pleasant  to  us  to  send  to  Signor  Au- 
gusto  Castellani,  as  a  token  of  kind  and  grateful  re- 
membrance, a  specimen  of  the  decorated  pottery  of 
Cincinnati/' 

The  committee  on  purchases  was  authorized  to 
make  a  selection,  and  carry  out  the  intentions  of  the 
meeting.  The  following  letters  were  written  by  Mrs. 
Perry  of  the  purchase  committee,  in  reference  to  the 
matter  : 

238  ML  Auburn,  Cincinnati,  March  8,  1886. 
•Hon.  JOHN  B.  STALLO, 

American  Minister  at  Rome  : 

Dear  Sir — I  hope  the  favor  I  have  to  ask  may  prove 
an  agreeable  one  to  you,  and  that  I  am  not  over-step- 


120  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

ping  the  bounds  of  propriety  in  the  request  I  have  to 
make. 

The  circumstances  of  the  case  are  briefly  the  fol- 
lowing :  About  two  years  ago  Sign  or  Augusto  Cas- 
tellani  of  Rome,  sent,  through  the  Association  which 
I  represent  in  writing  you,  a  valuable  and  interesting 
collection  of  fifty-two  pieces  of  ancient  pottery — Etrus- 
can— as  a  gift  to  the  Cincinnati  Museum  ;  a  most 
graceful  act,  proceeding  apparently  from  a  purely  ben- 
eficent and  generous  motive. 

At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  trustees  of  our  Associa- 
tion, we  resolved  that  it  would  be  pleasant  to  us  to  send 
to  Signor  C.  a  specimen  of  Cincinnati  pottery  as  a 
token  of  pleasant  and  grateful  remembrance.  A  se- 
lection has  been  made,  of  "  Rookwood  "  pottery,  and 
we  have  arranged  to  send  the  package,  containing: 
three  pieces,  through  Adams'  Express,  from  here. 

In  considering  the  matter,  it  occurs  to  us,  that  this 
illustration  of  the  decorative  pottery  from  our  city 
would  have  an  added  dignity  and  value,  in  the  eyes 
of  the  recipient,  if  it  should  come  to  him  under  the 
auspices  of  the  American  Minister,  and  we  hope  for 
your  sympathy  in  our  wish  to  make  the  little  gift  as 
agreeable  to. him  as  may  be.  In  this  view,  we  have 
taken  the  liberty  of  addressing  the  package  to  you. 
In  my  letter  to  Signor  C.  I  shall  advise  him  of  this 
fact.  If  you  will  kindly  have  him  notified  of  its  arri- 
val at  Rome,  you  will  confer  a  favor  upon  us. 

I  do  not  know  whether  you  have  felt  much  interest 
in  the  beginning  of  the  new  industry  of  decorative 
pottery  in  the  United  States.  I  may  say — between 
ourselves  as  Cincinnatians — that  I  believe  there  is  as 
much  originality  and  character  in  the  pieces  we  send, 


OF   CINCINNATI.  121 

as  may  be  found  in  the  work  of  any  of  the  European 
nations  at  this  time,  in  the  same  line  of  work — that 
is,  in  common  clay,  decorated  under  the  glaze— and 
that  in  mechanical  perfection  and  glaze,  they  also  bear 
a  favorable  comparison.  The  industry  is  of  course  in 
its  infancy,  and  we  have  much  to  learn.  The  three 
pieces  are  all  of  Ohio  day;  two  of  them  of  the  fine- 
grained red  clay  of  this  valley  ;  and  as  the  decorators, 
Miss  Laura  Fry  and  Mr.  Valentine,  had  their  training 
in  the  School  of  Design  of  Cincinnati,  they  are  repre- 
sentative of  purely  home  work. 

We  commend  them  to  your  and  Miss  Stallo's  kind 
consideration,  hoping  their  introduction  at  Rome, 
under  the  shield  of  your  official  courtesy,  may  not 
prove  otherwise  than  interesting  to  you. 

The  committee  will  prepay  all  transportation  charges. 
We  can  not  learn  of  any  duties  to  be  paid.  If  it 
should  prove  otherwise,  however,  or  if  charges  which 
we  can  not  foresee  should  accrue,  we  will  promptly 
remit  the  amount,  if  you  will  kindly  have  us  notified 
of  it. 

Mr.  Perry  unites  with  me  in  very  cordial  regards  to 
you  and  Mrs.  Stallo,  and  your  daughter. 
Very  respectfully  yours, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY. 

Cincinnati,  Ohio,  U.  S.  A. 
238  Mt.  Auburn,  March  8,  1886. 
Signor  AUGUSTO  CASTELLANI, 

Piazza  di  Fontana  di  Trei'i,  Rome : 
Dear  Sir — At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  trustees  of 
the  "  Women's  Art  Museum  Association  of  Cincin- 
nati," it  was,  on  motion  of  Mrs.  O.  J.  Wilson,  unani- 


122  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

mously  Resolved,  "  that  it  would  be  pleasant  to  us  to 
send  to  Signor  Augusto  Castellan!  of  Rome,  as  a 
token  of  kind  and  grateful  remembrance,  a  specimen 
of  the  decorated  pottery  of  Cincinnati." 

It  givey  me  great  pleasure,  dear  sir,  to  announce 
to  you  that  a  selection  has  been  made,  and  that  the 
package  will  be  at  once  sent,  addressed  to  Hon.  John 
B.  Stallo  (of  this  city),  American  Minister  to  Rome, 
who  will  kindly  notify  you  of  its  arrival. 

The  two  pieces  selected  are  of  the  fine-grained  red 
clay  of  the  Ohio  Valley  :  the  distinctive  name  given 
to  the  leading  decorative  characteristics  of  the  larger 
piece — "  Tiger-eye  " — was  suggested  by  its  fancied  re- 
semblance to  the  changing  lights  of  the  stone  of  that 
name. 

The  flower  of  the  smaller  piece  is  a  spray  of  the 
golden-rod,  one  of  the  most  common  of  our  wild  plants, 
which  grows  and  blooms  in  great  luxuriance  from 
Maine  to  Florida.  Its  brilliant  color,  and  graceful, 
plumey  spikes,  make  it  an  universal  favorite — and 
perhaps  no  plant  can  be  considered  more  purely  na- 
tional. 

The  decorators  of  these  pieces,  both  engaged  at  the 
pottery,  were  pupils  of  the  School  of  Design  of  Cin- 
cinnati. 

It  may  be  said  the  practice  of  decorating  pottery 
has  only  existed  in  this  country  about  ten  or  twelve 
years  :  the  first  results  were  shown  at  the  Centennial 
Exposition,  in  1876,  from  various  parts  of  the  coun- 
try— more  largely,  perhaps,  from  Cincinnati  than  else- 
where— but  all  the  work  of  untrained  hands — and  all 
o-verglaze  painting  on  European  porcelain.  This  was 
soon  followed  in  Cincinnati,  and  elsewhere,  probably, 


OF   CINCINNATI. 


123 


by  the  more  difficult  and  more  ambitious  attempt  at 
underglaze  color  on  our  common  clays. 

At  the  risk  of  extending  my  letter  unduly,  I  am 
tempted  here  to  add  the  interesting  fact,  that  the 
work  in  decorative  pottery  in  Cincinnati,  is  wholly 
owing  to  the  impulse  given  by  the  taste  and  energy 
of  a  few  ladies.  When  they  entered  upon  it,  some 
twelve  years  ago,  absolutely  nothing  was  known  of 
the  use  of  verifiable  colors;  and  there  were  no  facili- 
ties for  firing  their  experiments,  except  the  kilns  of 
the  makers  of  stone  china-ware. 

In  1879,  Mrs.  Maria  Longworth  Nichols,  and  Miss 
McLaughlin,  paid  for  the  building  of  an  overglaze 
and  an  underglaze  kiln,  respectively,  at  one  of  our 
common  potteries. 

An  increasing  knowledge  of  the  beauty  of  the 
clays  of  this  part  of  the  country  for  ornamental  uses, 
together  with  the  generally  increasing  taste  for  dec- 
orative pottery,  soon  caused  Mrs.  Nichols  to  feel  the 
need  of  larger  facilities,  and  led  to  the  establishment, 
in  1880,  of  her  pottery,  "  Rookwood,"  where  these 
pieces  were  made. 

We  ask  your  acceptance,  dear  sir,  of  these  little 
specimens,  representative  of  this  early  industry  here — 
in  no  sense  as  a  return  for  your  liberal  and  graceful  gift 
through  us  to  the  Cincinnati  Museum,  but  in  the 
thought  that  your  tastes  might  naturally  incline  you 
to  feel  an  interest  in  the  early  effort  of  the  youngest  of 
the  nations  in  decorative  pottery. 

By  order  of  the  board. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY,  President. 


124  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

P.  S.  A  third  piece,  with  cover,  has  been  added  to 
the  package  by  Mrs.  0.  J.  Wilson,  of  which  she  de- 
sires me  to  ask  your  acceptance,  with  her  compli- 
ments. E.  W.  P. 

Rome,  April  20,  1886. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY  : 

Dear  Madam — I  have  this  hour  received  from  the 
United  States  minister,  in  Italy,  the  three  very  beau- 
tiful vases  which  you,  in  the  name  of  the  trustees 
of  the  "  Women's  Art  Museum  Association  of  Cin- 
cinnati," so  courteously  have  presented  to  me. 

Without  flattery  I  can  frankly  say  to  you,  that  I 
have  found  worthy  of  every  encomium,  these  artistic 
experiments  of  your  young  nation  ;  feeling  them  to  be 
an  earnest  of  the  assured  future  which  they  promise 
in  the  development  of  your  valuable  institution. 

I  beg  then  to  present  to  the  trustees,  through  their 
worthy  president,  my  warmest  acknowledgments,  to- 
gether with  my  very  sincere  congratulations. 

I  have  the  honor  to  subscribe  myself,  always, 
Your  obliged, 

AUGUSTO  CASTELLANI. 

LEGATION  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  1 
ROME,  April  29,  1886.     J 

DEAR  MRS.  PERRY: — Your  letter  advising  me  of  the 
shipment  of  the  Rookwood  pottery,  destined  for  Mr. 
Castellani,  reached  me  some  time  ago,  but  I  deferred 
answering  it  in  the  hope  that  in  a  few  days  I  should 
be  able  to  announce  the  arrival  of  the  package.  Un- 
fortunately it  has  been  delayed  on  the  road  a  long 


OF   CINCINNATI.  125 

while,  so  that  your  letter  has  remained  unanswered 
nearly  two  months. 

Mr.  Castellani  (to  whom  I  forwarded  the  box  at 
once,  without  opening  it)  writes  me  that  he  is  both 
charmed  and  surprised  at  the  beauty  of  the  articles 
sent  him,  and  that  he  has  made  his  acknowledgments 
in  a  letter  addressed  directly  to  yourself. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  the  opportunity 
to  render  some  slight  service  to  your  Association,  and 
to  yourself,  has  afforded  me  very  great  pleasure. 

Begging  you  to  present  my  best  compliments  to 
the  ladies  of  your  Association,  and  to  remember  me 
kindly  to  Mr.  Ferry  and  the  other  members  of  your 
family,  not  forgetting  Dr.  Forchheimer,  I  have  the 
honor  to  be,  Very  truly,  . 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  B.  STALLO. 

During  a  visit  of  Prof.  Edward  S.  Morse  to  the  city, 
he  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  Association  to  de- 
liver a  lecture,  under  their  auspices,  upon  the  "  Man- 
ners and  Customs  of  the  Japanese."  The  lecture  was 
given  to  a  good  audience,  by  whom  it  was  enjoyed,  on 
the  afternoon  of  March  13,  1886,  at  the  Odeon. 

In  the  spring  of  1886,  the  correspondence  here 
given  led  to  the  transfer,  to  the  Cincinnati  Museum,  of 
a  Rembrandt  painting,  and  a  Sevres  cup  and  saucer, 
from  Mr.  A.  Gunnison. 

238  Mt.  Auburn,  March,  1886. 
Mr.  A.  GUNNISON  : 

Dear  Sir — The  approaching  completion  of  the  Mu- 
seum Building,  and  arrangement  of  the  collections, 


126  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

suggest  to  me  that  I  may  speak  to  you  in  refer- 
ence to  the  Rembrandt  picture,  and  Sevres  cup 
and  saucer,  which,  in  1878,  at  the  close  of  the  Loan 
Exhibition,  you  were  so  generous  as  to  say  you  would 
give  to  the  future  museum  (there  was  no  museum 
then,  and  nothing  in  that  direction  except  our  Asso- 
ciation) when  a  permanent  and  suitable  place  was  pro- 
vided. Your  gift  was  to  be  made  to  the  future  insti- 
tution through  tbe  "  Women's  Art  Museum  Associa- 
tion." 

In  the  interval  of  eight  years  which  has  elapsed, 
our  interest  in  tbe  matter  has  not  diminished  ;  but 
you  may  have  changed  your  views  in  reference  to  the 
disposal  of  these  valuable  and  interesting  objects.  My 
note  is  one  of  inquiry:  I  need  only  say  that,  if  you 
remain  of  the  same  mind,  we  sball  be  glad  to  receive, 
and  transfer  them  to  the  museum. 

Yours,  very  respectfully, 

ELIZABETH  W.  PERRY,  President. 

Cincinnati,  March  16,  1886. 
Mrs.  AARON  F.  PERRY, 

Preset   Women's  Art  Museum  Assoc.  of  Cincinnati: 

My  Dear  Madam — The  articles  presented  by  me  to 
your  Association  some  years  ago  are  now  ready  to  be 
delivered  on  your  present  order  to  the  "  Art  Museum 
Association;"  the  same  having,  by  your  desire,  been 
held  by  me  awaiting  the  completion  of  the  new 
building. 

They  are, 

1st,  Portrait  of  Utenbogardus,  by  Rembrandt,  painted 
in  1635 — signed  and  dated. 


OF    CINNCINNATI.  127 

2d.  Cup  and  Saucer,  made  at  Sevres  for  Louis  XVI, 
and  from  his  household. 

The  presumed  importance  of  these  works  may  ap- 
propriately call  for  some  descriptions  arid  grounds  for 
the  claim  of  originality;  but,  while  I  am  abundantly 
convinced  by  my  own  knowledge  and  investigation, 
coupled  with  the  evidence  imparted  by  the  works 
themselves,  it  is  not  so  easy  to  impart  that  confidence, 
perhaps,  to  others. 

The  picture  was  purchased  in  Geneva,  Switzerland, 
in  1878,  by  myself,  more  upon  its  merits  than  from  a 
belief  in  the  record  of  its  authenticity,  although  quite 
clearly  shown  to  have  been  for  many  years  in  the 
Royal  gallery  at  Amsterdam,  and  its  present  ownership 
fully  accounted  for;  this  statement  being  confirmed 
by  an  early  catalogue  in  German,  covering  all  known 
works  of  Rembrandt. 

Later,  having  it  in  Paris,  through  the  interposition 
of  the  proper  authorities  it  was  submitted  for  exami- 
nation to  the  proper  committee  of  the  "  Academy  of 
Art,"  by  whom  it  was  unqualifiedly  pronounced  to  be 

original,  and  of  the  value  of francs.    The  subject 

was  for  many  years  receiver-general  of  the  states  of 
of  Holland,  and  a  lifelong  friend  of  Rembrandt. 
The  frame  seems  to  be,  as  it  is  claimed  to  be,  contempo- 
rary. 

The  cup  and  saucer  are  of  the  best  period  of  the 
Imperial  works  at  Sevres,  and  evidence  the  sumptuous 
taste  of  the  court  and  times  of  Louis  XVI — these  two 
pieces,  alone,  containing  one  hundred  and  ninety-three 
gems  of  great  purity  and  beauty,  including  turquoises, 
rubies,  and  opals.  I  procured  them  from  the  agent  of 
a  nobleman,  at  Chester,  England,  who  exhibited  satis- 


128  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 

factory  evidence  of  their  having  been  directly  pro- 
cured from  the  royal  custodian  at  Paris,  and  their  re- 
tention as  souvenirs  for  all  these  years. 

Very  truly, 

A.  GrUNNISON. 

Amount  of  purchases  made  by  the  Associa- 
tion for  the  Museum,  .  .  .  $2,32179 

Amount  of  gifts  to  the  Association,  trans- 
ferred to  the  Museum,  .  .  .  6,396  10 


Total,         ...        .         .        $8,717  89 

Estimates  of  values  in  the  case  of  gifts,  were  made 
generally  from  the  valuation  of  the  givers:  in  a  few 
cases  from  the  valuation  of  experts.  In  the  case  of 
books,  from  the  price  list  of  Robert  Clarke  &  Co.  Of 
purchases,  in  accordance  with  the  bills  of  purchase. 

The  purchases  made  by  the  Association  for  the  Mu- 
seum— excepting  the  collection  of  lace — have  been  01 
the  decorated  pottery  of  the  United  States,  including 
tiles — but  more  especially  of  the  pottery  made  at  Cin- 
cinnati— of  which  a  consecutive  representation  from 
1874-5 -to  1886  has  been  secured. 

The  gifts  made  through  us  to  the  Museum  have 
been  mainly  of  pottery — but  some  miscellaneous  arti- 
cles have  been  given. 

An  Accession  Catalogue  has  been  kept  by  the  Sec- 
retary, with  an  accurate  list  of  objects  purchased  by 
the  Association,  and  of  gifts  or  loans  made  through 
it,  with  a  description  and  statement  of  values  :  this, 
with  official  papers,  files  of  letters,  minutes,  etc.,  is 


OF   CINCINNATI.  129 

deposited  in  the  library  of  the  Historical  and  Philo- 
sophical Society  of  Ohio,  115  West  Eighth  street, 
Cincinnati. 

Report  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Women's  Art  Mu- 
seum Association   from  the  formation  to  the  close — 

1877-1886 : 

Receipts. 
Dr. 

To  Fund  from  Women's  Centennial  Association $    384  22 

Membership  Fees 2,680  00 

Donations  for  Decorative  Art  Rooms 1,612  00 

Premium  and  Interest  on  Bonds 481  08 

Receipts  from  Loan  Exposition 3,161  38 

Miscellaneous  Sources...  68642 


Total : $9,005  10 

Disbursements. 
Cr. 
By  Salaries  of  Teachers  in  Art  and  in  Decorative 

Work $1,448  24 

Wages  of  Custodian  and  Janitor. .. 601  45 

Rents,  Heating  and  Lighting  Rooms 852  32 

House  Furnishing . . 560  07 

Expenses  of  Reception 552  09 

Printing,  Advertising,  and  Stationery 2,446  44 

Purchase  of  Lace  for  the  Cincinnati  Museum...  1,270  11 

"  Pottery  for  Cincinnati  Museum 872  51 

Miscellaneous  Expenses 100  52 

Balance  in  Hand...  ..       301  35 


Total $9,005  10 

Respectfully  submitted, 

ELIZABETH  K.  WHITMAN, 
APRIL  15,  1886.  Treasurer. 

Audited  and  found  correct. 

GEORGIANNA  L.  HOWE, 
MEIIITABLE  COPPENHAGEN  WILSON. 


130  WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 


While  these  pages  are  in  press,  the  Museum  build- 
ing was,  on  Monday  afternoon,  May  17,  1886,  pub- 
licly dedicated  to  its  distinctive  uses,  and  its  collec- 
tions thrown  open  to  the  public. 

The  years  of  the  corporate  life  of  the  institution 
may  be  counted  on  the  fingers  of  one's  Land — each  in 
turn  marking  a  substantial  step  in  advance.  To  the 
gifts  of  Mr.  Charles  W.  West,  for  building  and  en- 
dowment, have  been  added  the  popular  subscriptions 
of  citizens,  the  transfer  of  the  School  of  Design  to 
the  Museum — of  which  it  is  the  natural  supplement — 
the  endowment  of  the  school  by  the  heirs  of  Mr. 
Joseph  Long  worth,  the  endowment  fund  of  the  Mu- 
seum by  Mr.  Reuben  R.  Springer,  and  lastly  comes 
from  Mr.  David  Sinton  the  means  which  provides, 
alongside  the  Museum  building  in  Eden  Park,  a  new 
building  for  the  School  of  Design. 


OF   CINCINNATI. 


131 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  WOMEN'S 
ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION  OF  CINCINNATI, 

APRIL  1877  TO  APRIL  1886. 


Miss  E.  H.  Appleton, 
Mrs.  H.  W.  Andrews, 
Miss  E.  D.  Allen, 
Mrs.  Thos.  Ambrose, 
Mrs.  Wm.  P.  Anderson, 
Mrs.  L.  N.  Anderson, 
Mrs.  H.  T.  Atkins, 
Mrs.  Larz  Anderson,  Jr., 
Mrs.  N".  L.  Anderson, 
Miss  Lizzie  Athey, 
Miss  Fannie  M.  Banks, 
Mrs.  S.  M.  Barrett, 
Mrs.  W.  R.  Benedict, 
Mrs.  Henry  Bliss, 
Mrs.  A.  D.  Bullock, 
Mrs.  Samuel  J.  Broadwell, 
Mrs.  Alfred  Buchanan, 
Miss  Emma  Buchanan, 
Miss  S.  A.  Breck, 
Miss  L.  H.  Berry, 
Mrs.  W.  II.  Blymyer, 
"    Wm.  J.  Breed, 
"    Dr.  Bartholow, 
"    Louise  Bugher, 
"    H.  Brothers, 
"    11.  Bowler, 
"    Robert  Brown, 
Miss  Minnie  Bewley, 
"    E.  Bradford, 
"    B.  Bradford, 


Mrs*.  Robert  W.  Burnet, 
"    Jacob  S.  Burnet, 
"    G.  K.  Bartholomew, 
"    A.  Campbell, 
"    E.  T.  Carson, 

Miss  Florence  Carlisle. 

Mrs.  P.  S.  Conner, 
"    F.  W.  Clarke, 
u    Emma  Cheever, 
"    George  Carlisle, 

Miss  Clara  Carlisle, 

Mrs.  Cleneay, 

Miss  Crawford, 

Mrs.  J.  B.  Checkering, 

Miss  Jennie  Clarke, 

Mrs.  S.  A.  Charles, 

Miss  L.  Charles, 

Mrs.  A.  B.  Champion, 
"    James  Cullen, 

Miss  D.  Clemens, 

Mrs.  J.  II.  Cotton, 
"    P.  Cavagna, 
"    Charles  R.  Crane, 
"    J.  A.  Crozet, 
"    John  Davis, 
"    Wm.  Dodd, 
"    Wm.  Doughty, 
"    L.  M.  Dayton, 
u    Charles  Dexter, 
"    Wm.  Domiuick, 


132 


WOMEN  S    ART    MUSEUM    ASSOCIATION 


Mrs.  Herman  Duhrne, 
Miss  Annie  Dexter, 
Mrs.  Charles  T.  Dickson, 

"    Sarah  R.  Drnry, 

"    Wra.  Davis, 

"    Wm.  Henry  Davis, 

"    L.  Devinney, 
Miss  Duhme, 
Mrs.  Dunklee, 

"    Dunlap, 

"    R.  A.  Dykens, 

"    W.  H.  Doane, 

"    Edmund  Dexter, 

"    Seth  Evans, 

"    Benjamin  F.  Evans, 

"    T.  J.  Emery, 

"    Lowe  Emerson, 

"    Frank  R,  Ellis, 

"    0.  M.  Erkenbrecher, 

"    James  A.  Frazer, 

"    M.  F.  Force, 

"    S.  S.  Fisher, 

"    Dr.  Z.  Freeman, 
Miss  Fanny  Field, 

"    Elsie  Field, 
Mrs.  W.  R.  Fallerton, 

"    Dr.  Foster, 

"    Richard  Folsom, 
Miss  Laura  A.  Fry, 
Mrs.  Albert  G.  Folger, 
Miss  Clara  Fletcher, 
Mrs.  C.  S.  De  Forest, 

"    T.  L.  A.  Greve, 

"    David  Gibson, 

«    J.  W.  Gaff, 
Miss  Rachel  Gaff, 
Mr.  James  Gil  more, 
Mrs.  Bessie  Gilmore, 

"    Wm.  Glenn, 


Mrs.  Wm.  Gibson, 
u    S.  L.  Gaussen, 

Miss  Maria  Gardthausen, 
"    Carrie  Gibbons, 

Mrs.  R.  H.  Galbreath, 
"    W.  A.  Gamble, 
"    John  A.  Gano, 
«    M.  E.  Gaither, 
"    A.  J.  Howe, 
"    A.  H.  Hinkle, 
"    M.  E.  Handy, 
"    Wm.  P.  Hulbert, 
"    H.  0.  Homer, 
"    Dr.  E.  Y.  Howard, 

Mrs.  John  W.  Herron, 
"    E.  W.  Hutchens, 
"    L.  B.  Harrison 
"    F.  G.  Huritington, 
"    Frank  Hammon, 

Miss  Harbeson, 

Mrs.  G.  W.  Hardacre, 
"  D.  H.  J.  Holmes, 
"  Wm.  K  Hobart, 
"  Charles  L.  Howe, 
"  Harriet  T.Humphrey, 
"  W.  H.  Harrison, 

Miss  Mary  Harrison, 

Mrs.  D.  K.  Junes, 
"    M.  E.  Ingalls, 
"    Geo.  F.  Ireland, 
"    K  A.  Jeffras, 
"    C.  H.  Justis, 
"    John  D.  Jones,  Jr., 
"    Herbert  Jenney, 
"    Abby  R.  Jones, 
"    Isaac  Jordan, 
"    R.  Johnston, 
«    P.D.Keith, 
"    Ann  F.  Kinsey, 


OF    CINCINNATI. 


133 


Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Kinsey, 
"    Rebecca  F.  Kinsey, 
"    Kate.  A.  Kinsey, 
"    John  Kilgour, 
"    Charles  A.  Kebler, 
"    Rufus  King, 
"    M.  V.  Keenan, 
"    John  Kebler, 
"    F.  H.  Lawson, 
"    J.  S.  Lape, 
"    Robert  E.  Lee, 
"    R,  F.  Leaman, 
"    Kate  M.  Lupton, 
"    Henry  Lewis, 

Miss  A.  Lewis, 

Mrs.  James  H.  Laws, 

Miss  Annie  Laws, 
"    Lizzie. Laws, 

Mrs.  H.  L.  Laws, 
u    P.  Mallon, 
"    Geo.  W.  McAlpin, 

Miss  Louise  McLaughlin, 

Mrs.  J.  A.  Murphy, 
"    Ann  Marshall,       • 
"    James  McKeehan, 
u    Andrew  McCormick, 
"    Emanuel  J.  Miller, 
"    fi.  B.  Morehead, 
"    W.  H.  Mussey, 
"    J.  S.  Mills, 

Miss  Mitchell, 

"    Dodie  Mitchell, 

"    Murdock, 

"    Fanny  Murdock, 

Mrs.  Alex.  McDonald, 
"    R.  C.  Mitchell, 
"    John  Morrison, 

Mr.  "Win.  McAlpin, 

Mrs.  0.  Bentley  Matthews, 


Mrs.  Robert  Macready, 

"    John  McIIenry, 
Miss  C.  L.  McHenry, 
Mrs.  John  G.  Niel, 
Mrs.  E.  F.  Eoyes, 

"    Charles  Neave, 
Miss  J.  C.  Neave, 

"    Alice  Neave, 
Mrs.  J.M.  W.  Neff, 

"    N.  G.  Nettelton, 
Miss  Kate  Nettelton, 

"    Laura  Neff, 

"    C.  E.  bourse, 
Mrs.  Albert  better, 

"    A.  F.  Perry, 

"    J.  T.  Perry, 

"    C.  A.  Plimpton, 
Miss  A.  A.  Pitman, 
Mrs.  Thos.  Phillips, 

"    Henry  Pearce, 

"    Oliver  Perin, 

"    Elliott  H.  Pendleton, 

"    Harley  Procter, 
Miss  Procter, 
Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Perkins, 

"    L.  B.  Reakirt, 

"    C.  D.  Robertson, 

"    Dr.  R.  S.  Rust,     - 

"    Wm.  Resor,  Jr., 

44    G.  Y.  Roots, 

"    John  Reno, 

"    Joseph  Rawson,  Sr., 
Miss  Anna  G.  Roelker, 

u    Bernardine  Rapp, 
Mrs.  Harry  R,  Smith, 

"    John  Shillito, 

"    Theodore  Stan  wood, 
Miss  Mamie  Smith, 

"    Ellen  Sampson, 


134 


WOMEN'S  ART  MUSEUM  ASSOCIATION 


Mre.  Fayette  Smith, 

"    John  A.  Smith, 

"    Thos.  Sherlock, 
Miss  Mary  Stettinius, 
Mrs.  Daniel  J.  Smith, 

"    Virginia  Sampson, 
Miss  Mattie  Sen  elder, 
Mrs.  W.  W.  Scarborough, 

"    Brings  Swift, 

"    H.  A".  Smith, 

"  W.  W.  Seely, 
Miss  Belle  Smith, 
Mrs.  Chas.  H.  Stephens, 

"    F.  Seifert, 
Miss  Spencer, 
Mrs.  F.  W.  Smith, 
Miss  Carrie  C.-Swasey, 
Mrs.  Stewart  Shillito, 

"    Dr.  W.  H.  Taylor, 

"    Chas.  P.  Taft, 

"    R.  M.  W.  Taylor, 

"    S.  C.  Tatum, 

"    George  Thornton, 

"    O.  E.  Tyler, 
Miss  Kitty  Tilden, 
Mrs.  L.  M.  Thompson, 

"    Judge  Taft, 


Mrs.  Wm.  II.  Thayer, 
"    Henry  C.  Timer, 

Mrs.  Leon  Van  Loo, 
u    0.  J.  Wilson, 
"    A.  S.  "Winslow. 
"    Wm.  E.  Williamson, 
"    E.  Williams, 
"    H.  C.  Whitman, 
"    Morris  White, 
"    Adolph  Wood, 
"    M.  C.  Wilber, 
"    F.  D.  S.  Whetstone, 
"    Davies  Wilson, 
"    S.  B.  Warren, 
"    Drausin  Wulsin, 
"    J.  T.  Whittaker, 
"    Wm.  H.  Woods, 

Miss  Annie  Walker, 

Mrs.  Geo.  Wilshire, 
"    T.  H.  Woodworth, 
"    F.  W.  Wilson, 
"    E.  S.  Wayne, 

Miss  Thyrsa  L.  Westcott, 

MBS.  M.  J.Webb, 
"    S.  E.  Wright, 
"    E.  Zimmerman. 


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